Toronto woman in coma returns home from Croatia
Anna Leibenko suffered serious head injuries in fall from boat
CBC News
Posted: Sep 1, 2012 11:17 AM ET
Last Updated: Sep 1, 2012 4:05 PM ET
Donors raised thousands of dollars to help cover the cost of bringing Anna Leibenko home for treatment. (help-anna-leibenko.org)
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The family of a Toronto woman who has been in a medically induced coma since suffering serious head injuries while vacationing in Croatia is grateful that Anna Leibenko is now back on Canadian soil.
A plane carrying Leibenko, 24, landed at Pearson International Airport early Saturday and she was immediately transferred to Sunnybrook hospital for treatment.
The former Argos cheerleader sustained serious head injuries after falling off a catamaran on Aug. 17. She reportedly fell three metres before striking her head and falling into the ocean. She did not have travel insurance.
Donations from friends, family and strangers have helped the family raise more than $140,000 to cover the cost of bringing her home, plus other medical bills.
Without donors 'there would be no hope'
Anna's brother Artem Leibenko told CBC News Saturday the family is grateful to everyone who gave.
Artem Leibenko said he's grateful to everyone who donated money to help bring his sister back to Canada for treatment. (CBC)"Without them, there would be no hope," he said. "We're all stressed out because we don't know what it will be like after, we're just happy that she's on Canadian ground."
The family does not yet have a full picture of Anna's prognosis, but Artem said getting his sister home is just the first step of what could be a lengthy rehabilitation.
"She's still a long road ahead of her," he said.Share Tools
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