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Action Call to Save Samuel Golubchuk

By John Connolly

WINNIPEG, February 11, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - An 84-year-old Orthodox Jewish man is in danger of being euthanized by Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, despite protests from his family that the hospital's decision violates their religion.

Samuel Golubchuk, whose family has been waging a court battle to keep him alive since late last November, was hospitalized for pneumonia in October of 2007. Doctors have attempted to hasten his death by starvation and dehydration, tactics that have been barred by a temporary court order keeping Samuel alive.

Golubchuk's family claims that he is recovering due to medical treatment, and although Golubchuk is awake and responsive, doctors refuse to acknowledge the fact to the courts. Golubchuk suffered some brain damage in a fall in 2003, but is still responsive and capable of communication.

The family argues that any removal of life support violates their religious principles. Orthodox Judaism forbids the shortening of life and recognizes the hastening of death as a sin. However, Manitoba law states that doctors have the final say in life and death situations, regardless of religious beliefs.

"If you have a child with a significant cognitive disability or a parent with dementia you cannot bring them to the hospital in Manitoba because it would be a death sentence," said Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Canadian Euthanasia Prevention Coalition to LifeSiteNews.

Grace Hospital has the support of the Canadian Medical Association, a taxpayer-funded agency that has long pushed for euthanasia to be adopted into the Canadian medical system. The Golubchuk family has incurred nearly ruinous legal costs in their fight against a hospital with huge financial resources. The family is calling upon citizens opposed to euthanasia to help pay for legal fees and to aid in the legal and public opinion battle.

To donate to the Golubchuk family, readers may visit the Save Samuel Golubchuk website:

http://www.samuelgolubchuk.com/

To sign an online petition to save the life of Samuel Golubchuk:

http://www.gopetition.com/online/16801.html

To Contact Grace Hospital and the Manitoba Health Ministry:

Commissioner John Nelson
President
The Salvation Army Grace Hospital
300 Booth Drive
Winnipeg, MB
R3J 3M7

Phone: 204-837-0488

E-Mail: pr@ggh.mb.ca

Hon.Theresa Oswald
Minister of Health
Room 302
Legislative Building
Winnipeg MB
R3C 0V8

Fax: 204-845-0441

Phone: 204-945-3731

E-Mail:minhlt@leg.gov.mb.ca

To Contact Local Newspapers with Opinions:

http://www.samuelgolubchuk.com/act_now2.htm

See previous LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Canadian Hospital Wants to Withdraw Patient's Feeding Tube but Jewish Family Says No in Court
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/dec/07121212.html

Right to Decide When to End Treatment is Doctor's, not Family's: Physician's Guidelines
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jan/08013106.html

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