An E-mail About Samuel Golubchuk

On January 7 I reported on the case of Samuel Golubchuk - "The Grim Reaper Wears White" - and on February 16 I printed an update - "Update-Samuel Golubchuk" . Today I received the following e-mail from Mr. Golubchuk's daughter :

March 19, 2008

My name is Miriam Geller,
daughter of SAM GOLUBCHUK.

You recently signed an online petition demanding that the Grace Hospital of Winnipeg continue providing basic care for our father SAM. On behalf of our entire family, I wanted to thank you for your support and prayers, and to provide you with an urgent update on the current situation.
(If this message was forwarded to you from a friend, you may not have signed the petition yet. It can be found here.)
As you will recall, last fall SAM, who had been living in a long-term care facility, came down with pneumonia and had to be moved to a hospital. Thank God, the pneumonia was cured. Unfortunately, due to his weakened condition, SAM has been unable to return to his home. He is currently receiving basic care at the hospital which includes being given food and water and assistance in breathing through the use of a ventilator.
In November the hospital, without our permission, attempted to withdraw this basic care, letting our father die. We obtained an emergency Court Order to stop them from doing so, which the hospital tried - and failed - to have reversed.
Now we are being forced to return to Court again as the hospital fights, at taxpayers' expense, to have the Order overturned.
That's right - rather than giving up, the hospital is continuing to fight us for the right to kill our father.
Let me stress that SAM is not in a "vegetative" state, nor is he suffering from a terminal illness of any kind. He is not suffering and is in no pain whatsoever. The hospital wants to end his life because he's old, he's weak and he's disabled and it doesn't want to spend money on his care - although it doesn't mind using taxpayers' money to fund its legal crusade!
This is not just about our father's life. We're also fighting for ourselves, our children and everyone we care about; We're fighting for the kind of society we want to live in and leave to future generations. If bureaucrats can refuse to care for SAM because he's too old and disabled, then they can refuse to care for anyone they deem unworthy.
In short, we're fighting for you and your loved ones too - but we can't go on without your support!
This is a fight that we can win! A judge has already upheld an Order prohibiting the hospital from ending SAM's care, but we need need your help RIGHT NOW to be able to afford the next phase of the case as the hospital continues trying to have that Order overturned.
Please make a contribution right now by clicking the link below and following the simple instructions. No amount is too small.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!Alternatively, you can send a cheque or money order to:

Save Sam Golubchuk Fund
P.O. Box 1318 Station B
Ottawa ON Canada
K1P 5R4

In addition to your financial help and prayers, please spread the word by forwarding this email to everyone you know: your church, synagogue, or any other organization, group or network that you know of. If you would like to help us by volunteering some of your time please send me an email at miriam@samuelgolubchuk.com.
Sincerely,
Miriam