Aga Kahn University Hospital

A Virginia mother of four, Ayla Garcia, died after contracting a severe salmonella infection during a church mission trip to Kenya. Her pre-existing sickle cell disease worsened the infection, which spread to her kidneys, liver, and blood. Family members confirmed her death and are raising funds to repatriate her body for burial.

Ayla Garcia, a mother of four from Virginia, died after contracting a severe salmonella infection during a church mission trip to Kenya. Her underlying sickle cell disease complicated the infection, leading to organ failure and requiring multiple medical interventions before her death. Her family is raising funds to cover costs for her body to be returned home for burial.