News Article: Statement from the Ottawa Senators regarding Eugene Melnyk - MOD Warnings-#9 & #143

[Six Assets]

I dont begrudge anyone expecting a payout or donating their liver. Melnyk got the publicity to find a donor due to his fame and wealth and its only fair he should pay for it. If I needed a liver transplant I would pay for it if none were available. I'd mortgage the house and do whatever it took to get the word out there.

that's illegal. People would go absolutely nuts.

 

[RedWhiteBlackGold]

that's illegal. People would go absolutely nuts.

It's illegal to sell your organ for cash, but can't blame those who would want some reward in return. I believe donating a part of ones organ should be with the main priority of saving ones life, but when you have a billionaire asking the public for help there will be people who will want something in return.

I can see where people who would do it just to save ones life can be disgusted by the people who would do it for a reward, but if Melnyk wasn't who he is I'm sure there would be less applicants/opportunities available to him.

For me personally, if I was a potential match all I would ask is if he could provide me with financial support until I was able to work again. That's asking for something in return but otherwise I wouldn't be able to provide him with that opportunity.

 

[jediqwerty]

Guys, the reason why discussing whether or not Eugene caused this illness himself is extremely inappropriate, unnecessary, and is not like a "normal forum discussion", is because this topic serves NO purpose.

The ONLY thing happening when you do that, whether intentionally or not, is it ends up evaluating whether or Melnyk deserves to live, and can ONLY act as a deterrent from people wanting to save his life.

Now, you might be thinking, "Well, that's not how I see it. For me, its a discussion about honesty and rights of the donor."

Although your intentions are pure (sort of, I guess), you're treating the situation as a point of drama, and are failing to empathize with the person. We have NO idea if this has anything to do with him liking to drink. Imagine if someone who knows Eugene personally (or he himself) read something like that.

He could be pronounced terminal as early as next week, and people are just casually discussing like its his own fault. Who does that help? What purpose does it serve other than a form of entertainment for people to discuss, like an episode of Game of Thrones or Lost.

Sometimes there's things that do not NEED to be said, even if it seems like a fun topic to talk about.

I actually really, really, really hate to agree with you but I do.

 

[enviro61]

that's illegal. People would go absolutely nuts.

who cares. When your life is on the line, you won't be thinking jeez this isn't going to be regarded very well by my peers. **** that, people travel all over the world for alternative treatments that they can't get at home.

If it's illegal here, go somewhere it isn't. As long as you are not harming anyone else to save yourself, I see no issue with paying to save yourself, be it alternative cancer treatment, stem cell transplant, liver transplant or whatever.

 

[Vesa Awesaka]

Lets be realistic. If Melnyk gave any monetary reward the government would find some way to take it.

It wouldnt be about Mlenyk in jail or the reward seeking donor. It would be about the government interfering to stop people from getting rewards for this stuff

Its illegal in all but one country in the entire world i believe(someone said that in the main board thread). Not to mention melnyk cant leave the hospital and didnt necessarily expect it to be this bad. From what i understand he's been sick since January but didnt expect to get this ill.

 

[Frank8]

There's an awesome documentary call Tales From the Organ Trade.: http://hbowatch.com/hbo-fall-documentary-tales-from-the-organ-trade/

It doesn't just focus on people waking up in tubs of ice minus a kidney, but how messed up the system is where people can't get organs they need to live when there are donors willing to sell theirs.

 

[Stylizer1]

who cares. When your life is on the line, you won't be thinking jeez this isn't going to be regarded very well by my peers. **** that, people travel all over the world for alternative treatments that they can't get at home.

If it's illegal here, go somewhere it isn't. As long as you are not harming anyone else to save yourself, I see no issue with paying to save yourself, be it alternative cancer treatment, stem cell transplant, liver transplant or whatever.

This is the realest reality.

If I were a billionaire and somebody did that for me I would make sure that person never has a problem financially for the rest of their life. It would be different if he was on a donors list and received the liver through the normal channels but actually having someone step up at the last possible moment like this I don't see any problem with giving back to the donor.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Too much of a slippery slope, especially when organs are suddenly worth a lot of money. It's bad enough already that China makes a point of having many of their convicted felons "disappear" when something like a heart or lungs are needed by a wealthy person in the country. It's not long before runaways, homeless folks, people without families, and the poor start to disappear when money becomes a factor.

 

[tony d]

Hope he gets a new liver and gets better quickly.

 

[L'Aveuglette]

http://www.ottawasun.com/2015/05/16/melnyk-surgery-could-be-in-days

Doctors at the Toronto General Hospital have identified 12-plus candidates who have been selected to go through the donor screening process.

Surgery could begin “within a week,” once the proper paperwork is filed and the “rigorous” screening process is complete, according to Dr. Atul Humar.

Some very encouraging news for Mr. Melnyk.

 

[Sun God Nika]

Is it safe to say Melnyk is probably going to be fine? He has 12 possible candidates after all.

 

[Silvercup Returns]

Is it safe to say Melnyk is probably going to be fine? He has 12 possible candidates after all.

Nowhere out of the woods, this is still the beginning. There's always a chance of organ rejection, of stroke or heart attack during surgery, of his body not being strong enough for surgery, of the donor having a last-second change of heart, etc, etc.

 

[The Lewler]

Is it safe to say Melnyk is probably going to be fine? He has 12 possible candidates after all.

No, no it's not safe to say.

 

[DrunkUncleDenis]

Nowhere out of the woods, this is still the beginning. There's always a chance of organ rejection, of stroke or heart attack during surgery, of his body not being strong enough for surgery, of the donor having a last-second change of heart, etc, etc.

Not to mention that the screening process takes days, and that hospital is extremely particular in fining a match (as they should be given their 100% success rate).

Things like liver size and even where the veins line up are very important.

Is it safe to say Melnyk is probably going to be fine? He has 12 possible candidates after all.

You might be off the hook after all

 

[Sun God Nika]

Not to mention that the screening process takes days, and that hospital is extremely particular in fining a match (as they should be given their 100% success rate).

Things like liver size and even where the veins line up are very important.



You might be off the hook after all

Meh I don't care if Im on the hook, I only say here what ill say in real life, thats me. Live With it.


But given the hospitals success rate, and finding those 12 out of 500, the only chance something goes wrong is the small chance something ****s up during the surgery (which has never happened at this hospital). Also wouldn't having a change in heart be illegal? Since you essentially eliminate the 11 other candidates, and cancel right before the procedure, its almost identical to killing him in a way.

 

[L'Aveuglette]

Not to mention that the screening process takes days, and that hospital is extremely particular in fining a match (as they should be given their 100% success rate).

Things like liver size and even where the veins line up are very important.



You might be off the hook after all

Well, they did say surgery would likely start "within a week", which is why I said it was encouraging news.

 

[IceCapsFanNL]

Good luck to Mr. Melnyk. Prayers sent.

 

[Larionov]

The fact that Melnyk has been hospitalized for the last three weeks is a red flag. He is clearly very ill, whereas many transplant candidates are able to be at home while awaiting their transplant.

Liver transplants have a high success rate, but it is still not quite like ordering a pizza. He will be in hospital for about three weeks post surgery, and it will be six months to a year before he returns to anything resembling a "normal" life or routine. (For instance, they have to be incredibly vigilant about the risk of infection for some time afterwards.) He will be on anti-rejection drugs for the rest of his life, and those have their own side effects. Anyone who thinks he will be hopping on the FAN 590 a few days afterwards is going to be disappointed...

 

[SenatorArmy*]

Liver transplants have a high success rate, but it is still not quite like ordering a pizza. ...

this analogy really deLivered

 

[Caje]

This whole situation could be avoided if we had more sensible organ donation policies. An opt-out system instead of opt-in would basically eliminate shortages all together.

 

[Six Assets]

This whole situation could be avoided if we had more sensible organ donation policies. An opt-out system instead of opt-in would basically eliminate shortages all together.

He needs a live donor

 

[DrEasy]

Nowhere out of the woods, this is still the beginning. There's always a chance of organ rejection, of stroke or heart attack during surgery, of his body not being strong enough for surgery, of the donor having a last-second change of heart, etc, etc.

They throw in a freebie? sorry

 

[Silvercup Returns]

This whole situation could be avoided if we had more sensible organ donation policies. An opt-out system instead of opt-in would basically eliminate shortages all together.

Because of his rare blood type, it has to match his blood type for a cadaver donation. A live donation he can receive from any blood type.

 

[SenatorArmy*]

TORONTO - Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is thanking the public for their support in what he calls the "biggest battle" of his life — his urgent public appeal for a liver transplant.
Melnyk, 55, who has been battling health issues for months, was admitted to hospital three weeks ago due to the onset of liver-related complications. His condition is considered critical.
Melnyk released a statement on Monday saying his health became more critical during the past few weeks and that his friends and family convinced him to go public after numerous potential live liver donors were not a match.
More than 500 people have offered to donate part of their liver to Melnyk, and one of his doctors said Saturday that he could undergo surgery by the end of the week.
The Senators announced on Saturday that more than 12 candidates had been identified and selected to go through the donor screening process. The candidates are all at different stages of that process.
A living donor transplant is Melnyk's best option because he has rare AB blood; a live donor doesn't need to have a matching blood type, whereas an organ from a deceased donor must be a perfect match.
"I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the public and the media. It is truly heartwarming to feel loved by so many people," Melnyk said in the statement, in which he also thanked medical staff at the University Health Network and Toronto General Hospital.
"Words cannot even begin to express how thankful my family and I are for your expressions of support, your prayers, and your unconditional desire to help me in the biggest battle of my life."
Melnyk also stressed the importance of organ donation and the Senators said Saturday that his health was stable and that he is in good spirits.
"You have lifted my spirits, and in the process have given me all the strength I need at this difficult time," Melnyk said. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

http://www.tsn.ca/senators-owner-melnyk-thanks-public-1.285857

 

[Rals]

this analogy really deLivered

Bravo!


I love some good word play.