WALSALL / BIRMINGHAM — While the rest of the nation celebrated the arrival of 2026, a family in the West Midlands was forced to say a final, devastating goodbye. Damilola Balogun, a devoted mother and the main applicant for her household’s skilled work visa, passed away on the morning of January 1st after a month-long medical ordeal that began just months after the birth of her third child.
Mrs. Balogun, who had recently welcomed a baby now just five months old, leaves behind a husband and three children aged 11, 10, and five months. Her passing has sparked a wave of grief across the community and a desperate fundraising effort to support a family left with no source of income and mounting funeral costs.
The Medical Journey: From Headaches to Emergency Surgery
The tragedy began with what appeared to be severe, persistent headaches. Mrs. Balogun first sought help at the Walsall Manor Hospital accident and emergency unit, where she was initially discharged. Three days later, with symptoms worsening, she returned and requested blood work.
Following her admission, doctors administered antibiotics and performed a series of diagnostic tests, including an MRI scan and a lumbar puncture. While initial results were inconclusive, a subsequent MRI in the second week of her hospital stay revealed fluid on the brain. This discovery led to an urgent referral to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for neurosurgery.
Though the surgery was initially deemed a success, providing a flicker of hope for her husband and young children, the situation took a tragic turn just three days later. Mrs. Balogun fell into a coma and was placed on life support. Despite the best efforts of the neurological team, it was confirmed that she would not recover. On New Year’s Day, her life support was withdrawn.
A Family in Crisis
The emotional toll of the ordeal has been compounded by severe financial hardship. Throughout his wife’s hospitalization, Damilola’s husband remained by her side, leaving him unable to work. The family’s savings have been completely exhausted by the costs associated with her care and the needs of their three children.
“Damilola was the heart of her family and their main applicant,” a family spokesperson stated. “To lose her just as they were celebrating a new life with their five-month-old baby is a tragedy beyond words. We are asking the community to step in and ensure these children are supported and that Damilola receives the dignified send-off she deserves.”
How to Help
A fundraising campaign has been established to cover the immediate costs of the funeral and to provide a financial safety net for the three young children she leaves behind. The community is being urged to contribute, with organizers stressing that no amount is too small during this dark period.
- Fundraising Goal: Support for Damilola Balogun’s Funeral and Children
- Target: Urgent financial support for burial and child maintenance
- Platform: GoFundMe
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