BELLEVILLE, Ont. — The staff at International Truckload Services (ITS) have launched an international mission of mercy in the hopes of saving the life of a co-worker’s son.

Thirty-one-year-old Ryan Gallaher lies comatose in a Bangkok, Thailand, hospital after barely surviving a moped accident that happened June 4 in Vietnam.

Gallaher’s mom, Lisa Hamilton, who works in the billing department at ITS near Belleville, flew to Asia to be with her son as soon as she could, after the accident.

(Details surrounding the actual crash remain unclear.)

Gallaher had been abroad for two years, teaching English. Because of his extended stay, his health insurance had expired.

Now, it’s costing about $3,000 a day to take care of him; and he won’t be stable enough to move home for several weeks.

His mom estimates that the air ambulance to Canada could cost upwards of $100,000. She has already spent about $30,000.

It’s a nightmare.

The only upside is that it’s bringing out the best in her co-workers who are doggedly trying to find ways to raise money and moral support.

ITS’s Joreen Fisk is helping coordinate the fundraising. So far, they’ve ponied up about $3,200; and they’re planning some other fund-raising efforts, including a raffle and a bottle drive.

They’ve also set up a trust account for anyone who cares to make donations at the CIBC on Front Street in Belleville. (Transit 7042 account 18-59234.)

“We talked with his mom," Fisk said, "and she said that it could still be a couple of weeks before they will arrange to transport him. She is just going day by day, watching and waiting for signs of improvement."

Fisk added that the administration at ITS are very supportive of the staff’s effort.

"The owners Max and Rob Haggarty need to be thanked for allowing their employees to dedicate the time to this mission."

If you want to know more about how you can help, feel free to contact the ITS office at 613/961-5144. Tell the receptionist why you’re calling and you’ll be put in touch with the right people.