Teenage Australian golfer Jessica Bang remains on life support in an intensive care unit in Thailand after suffering a catastrophic brain haemorrhage almost two weeks ago.
The 18-year-old rising star suddenly collapsed earlier this month while preparing for an upcoming tournament in Bangkok. She was rushed to Synphat Ramintra Hospital in the Thai capital, where she underwent emergency brain surgery and remains on life support in intensive care.
Loved ones are seeking to repatriate Bang back home to Australia to continue her recovery surrounded by her family and community. However, her family faces mounting medical bills and the severe expense of a specialized medical evacuation aircraft fitted with intensive care equipment.
A fundraiser established by Bang's cousins has raised more than $25,000 within two days to help cover the hospital costs and transport. "Her family is wanting to take her back home to be surrounded by her loved ones and community as she navigates recovery," her cousins wrote on the campaign page. "Every donation made will be contributed to her overwhelming medical bills and repatriation back home which will need to be on a special plane with built in ICU equipment."
Insurance and citizenship complications
The financial burden has been heightened by complicated insurance and residency arrangements following her recent change of citizenship. Born in South Korea, Bang became an Australian citizen upon turning 18 and currently splits her time between Sydney and South Korea.
"She chose Australian citizenship, which unfortunately made her Korean residency/status and travel insurance situation quite complicated," her uncle Jacob Kang said. "As a result, her medical treatment and related expenses are becoming a huge financial burden for the family."
"We ask that you keep Jessica and her family in your thoughts and prayers," her cousins added.
Rising career in professional golf
Affectionately known as "Rookie Bang," the teenager turned professional in November after playing golf for eight years. Just three months into her professional career, she secured her breakthrough win at the Ford NSW Regional Championship in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.
In just her fifth professional tournament, Bang shot an 8-under-par 65 in the final round to set a new course record and complete a five-shot victory while her mother served as her caddie. The performance prompted state governing body Golf NSW to praise the promising player as "something special."
"I'm so happy, I can't even put it into words," Bang said after her victory. "It still doesn't feel real yet. I did not expect this at all - a big surprise."
Bang had recently qualified for her rookie season on both the Australian and Korean ladies golf association tours, the premier women's professional circuits in both nations. As she remains under intensive care, tributes and support have poured in, with publication Australian Golf Digest stating: "The thoughts of the entire Australian golf community are with Jessica Bang and her family."
