Eugene Melnyk transplant. Do the rich fare better obtaining a liver transplant? Discussion, please.

I posit this current event for forum discussion. This case raises bioethics questions... and comments. As my husband is on the UNOS liver transplant list nearly 2 years, and as many members here have been involved in the transplant process, I would love to hear your opinions, and comments.

Bioethics is the study of the typically controversial ethical issues emerging from new situations and possibilities brought about by advances in biology and medicine. It is also moral discernment as it relates to medical policy, practice, and research.

The owner of a Canadian hockey team, Eugene Melnyk, owner of the Senators, put a public plea to his fans for a live liver donation. Canadians have been commenting in the media, as have the doctors and other interested parties.

senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=768219

news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/majority-of-potential-liver-donors-to-eugene-melnyk-not-interested-in-donating-to-someone-else

www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/05/23/the-rich-do-better-ethics-and-eugene-melnyks-new-liver.html

I have been following this event from the beginning, reading all articles and blogs, comments and questions.



Discuss :) Big Hugs

I understand that in some 3rd world countries a live liver donation can be acquired by a medical tourist for a fee with just the right blood type. One wonders.

Like David, I understand that most liver patients run OUT of money by the time it gets to ESLD stage and are on Medicaid or other assistance. Mike was for sure.

I suppose a nice NICU or PET machine might grease the wheels, but I hate to think of it that way. I wonder if there was a personal donation to the donor in the Canadian story...I bet we'll never know.

Mama Lama

On one hand, we all have a right to seek living donor's should we be one in need. Yet we realize famous and wealthy people have media, money, and much public interest in their lives that most sick people don't have.

I did not see a lot of difference in the US/Canadian model.

This is info on Altruistic Donation in the US:

Non-Directed or Altruistic Donors
If you would like to be a non-directed/altruistic living donor, meaning you wish to donate to an anonymous candidate on the transplant waiting list, contact your nearest transplant centers directly to find out if they have this kind of donation program.For a complete list of transplant centers, visit the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) member


The comments on the various media articles show an interesting response.


Mr. Melnyk did get a living donor, due to being a famous person with many connections. He survives, which is a good thing. Will the media promote a live donor for all on the Canadian list? No. Like most at this stage of the game, my husband is now broke, and not famous.

Because of Mr. Melnyk's illness and plea, many people became aware of organ donation. A positive. And because of his plea, his fame, and his position, many additional deceased organ donors were gained. Win-win!

From the news..., when the candidates were told they were not picked, but asked if they wanted to donate to someone else, 26 people offered to be a live donor to another in need. Of the hundreds that sent in paperwork, only 26 were interested in donation to anyone else.

I will be interested in follow-up stories.

An added positive, The Senators are going to become active in organ donation awareness, which has to be a good thing. I am glad to see both donor and Mr. Melnyk are doing well, at last report. Ethically? I am thinking on this one. Big Hugs

One of the articles hoped that the process (PR OOO CESS..long O the Canadian way) might change to an opt out rather than an opt IN program. Gosh, that would be wonderful.

Even those who want a regular funeral could allow the docs to harvest some good parts from a cadaver before a funeral!

Hugs,

MamaLama

I'm speaking of live donors. I had no problem with this. It prevents people from buying livers. It's the policy of the #1 hospital in the US.

There is no guarantee that you or anyone else would definitely get a liver. People die every day, waiting for one. I'm surprised a doctor would tell you that you were a sure thing.

I do smoke pot and it made no difference to my docs. As it was, I was #3 on the list and I was pushed up to #1 at the very end.

A.Ziffle you are right on the Money!! (unintentional pun) Take a look at how many people have medical conditions and are poor, no insurance,no support, no things to liquidate..do they get help? NOT!!!I know its terrible to think off but how many don't even have access to a computer to join our forum? the subject has a lot of unfair points but we do believe in Freedom..Capitalism and sorry to say this comes with it..

here is interesting link on this very subject www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/24/liver.transplant.priority.lists/index.html?iref=24hours

My opinion (fwiw) is that having more money is always better than having less money.

Is it fair that Jobs or the Canadian guy used their money and notoriety to get livers? Well, I don't think it is fair. OTOH, I can be less judgmental if they also gave massive amounts of money towards the advancement of science in the area of transplantation/liver disease/stemcell research.

I loved the volunteer work I did for ALF. I got to be the introducer and educational meetings, and to attend fancy dinners. I got to buy some really frou-frou outfits and actually meet some moderately famous people, as well as all the hepatologists and transplant surgeons who attended the fundraising events. Mind you, I also handled all problems, took phone calls from the newly diagnosed, and dealt with the sometimes fragile egos of those who were big wigs in the field. Oh, and moving chairs. Seems I was always moving chairs.

I did the best I could, and raised a bit of money and awareness. I know I helped liver patients through my work. And I loved every minute of it.

Because I liked the work, my ex-husband would say that it did not count as volunteer work. To his way of thinking, volunteering had to hurt, or else you were serving yourself and not others. Um, no.

All I hoped was that when my time for transplant came around, that I would be surrounded by physicians that I knew and trusted.

I guess volunteer work does not even get you that anymore, since I must travel to get a liver in a timely fashion. I was never looking for special attention, but the mere fact that the doctors knew me was important to me. It made me have a certain level of comfort to know they were treating someone they knew."

Maybe if I could pay for a new liver wing or something, maybe then I could get a liver sooner....but even then - Not in NYC. I'd still have to leave my home and family, which is not a good thing at all.

Blah blah. I am glad I have insurance, and enough retirement savings to finance the relocation etc. In the end it is all good. I think.

Sorry to babble.
Schimbare

Connie and I used to talk about whether we would try and get a second transplant if our original liver failed. We both felt that one transplant was enough. There are other, younger people that haven't had a first transplant.

There's a book we read about a woman who'd had 3 livers and a kidney transplant. That is way over the top.

Ziff, Good questions. We had no idea how the transplant process worked in real life when themister was told he should explore a transplant list. I am enjoying the discussion and glad to hear the comments from those with liver disease.

I had a family member with more than one kidney transplant. Died at 24. She had a genetic condition the family hoped would be cured before she passed from the disease.

Another was a boy from our former hometown. He had 2 liver transplants and died at 18, waiting for the third.

I watched the news on Mr. Melnyk from the day the plea went out. He is not in the USA transplant system, but I felt it was a good topic for those of us living in the world of "replacement parts". Big Hugs

Hmmm.

Hmmmmm indeed. I stumbled across a W.H.O map when immigration debates in politics began years back. Mainly the US southern border. The map was linked to Ebola threats. My curious nature had me looking into some of the real time maps at various countries top diseases. Well............ take a look at the Central America liver disease. What do you suppose a government struggling with mass deficits and astronomical healthcare problems decides to do with immigration. You cant make this stuff up. Trouble is, Our own government oversees all this data. Why isn't Fox, CNN and all the "trusted" outlets not informing us.

Bill Gates recently did a interview in which he was asked his biggest fear for humanity. Pandemic disease was his answer. Really makes you wonder. Ahhh, I'll strap my tinfoil hat on. Could be a long summer.


Ziff

www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/liver-disease/by-country/

The big picture seems to escape us. We see it like the old phrase "Can't see the forest for the tree's". Most of our society shrugs off obstacles like what we are discussing. Perhaps rightly so. If we peeked any further than the thin silk blanket we hide our eyes with we'd quickly realize just how bad it is. Maybe it's more like a acquaintance once said "Ehhh...Screw it I'll be dead by then anyhow".

We could go on for ions quoting authors and posting links but the truth is quite simple and in your face. History makes no mistake on pointing the culprit as being human greed. Money, power or what have you. I believe Thoreau wrote "Many strike at the branches of evil while only one will strike the root". It's a interesting topic, Ethics that is. With all due respect Miz. I believe you have landed on the equivalent of religion and politics. Two things that can get ones arse handed to them in this wonderful politically correct world.

Ethics are only important to ethical people. The definition of ethics used to be fairly clearly defined. A politician, lawyer and "special interest group" get to define that for you now. None of which, mind you has the morals of a door knob. For those of us that have and are suffering from this disease we are but just along for the ride however long or short. But hey life ain't all dismal. I here the new foreign trade agreement (top secret) will allow for foreign "donations" (wink, wink) We Americans love our donations you know.

Ziff