May 2, 2019 update: Fairview Hospital stated today that it will continue to provide Catie with oxygen, according to Life Legal Defense Foundation. Read LifeSiteNews report here.
May 1, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) – A 64-year-old woman with lung cancer is allegedly at risk of being euthanized by a Minnesota hospital, despite having stated emphatically from her hospital bed in a video that is now going viral that she wants to live.
A hospital representative had apparently asked Catie Cassidy if she wanted to “pull the plug.”
“I said NO!” Cassidy exclaimed, recounting the exchange in a video. “I want to live,” she said a little later.
She is captured on video, having told the chaplain for Fairview Hospital in Edina, Minnesota — reportedly sent by the hospital to prepare her to be euthanized — that she does not want her oxygen removed and that she wants to live.
The hospital had planned to withdraw Cassidy’s oxygen Wednesday morning, according to Life Legal Defense Foundation (LLDF), which would result in Cassidy’s death by suffocation.
LLDF Executive Director Alexandra Snyder told LifeSiteNews that Cassidy’s healthcare proxy was to meet with the hospital at 11 a.m. Central Time, and that specifics were still forthcoming.
The legal group released the video of Cassidy sharing how she pleaded for her life Tuesday, and said it is pleading with the hospital to provide Cassidy proper care while reviewing legal options.
LLDF stated in an April 30 Facebook post about the case:
Catie is a patient at a hospital in Minnesota. She has lung cancer and needs oxygen to remain comfortable. The hospital plans to remove Catie’s oxygen tomorrow morning, which will result in her death by suffocation.
Catie is on video saying she does not want the hospital to “pull the plug.” She relayed this to the hospital’s chaplain, who was sent to Catie’s room by the hospital to prepare her to be euthanized. Even though the hospital has been sedating Catie, she understands what the hospital is planning to do and says she is still fighting and is “not ready” to die.
We are appalled that a hospital would even consider withdrawing oxygen from a patient who has clearly communicated that she wants to live. When asked if she wants her oxygen removed, Catie’s response was “NO! I want to live!”
Withdrawing Catie’s oxygen to cause her death is active euthanasia, which is illegal in Minnesota and every other state.
Life Legal is evaluating legal options at this time.
The dialogue between Cassidy and the unnamed woman on the video is alarming.
(They said) “Do you want to pull the plug,” Cassidy says first on the video. “I said “NO!”
“And I said I want to live,” Cassidy then states.
“Yeah,” a woman in the room with her responds. “You’re still fighting.”
Cassidy indicates she hadn’t caught what the woman had said, replying, “What?”
“You’re still fighting, right?” the woman then asks Cassidy.
“You’re telling me!” Cassidy responds.
“I said I’m not ready,” she goes on.
“He said, 'You don’t want to pull the plug?'” Cassidy continues. “I said, 'no way!'”
Even though the hospital has been sedating Cassidy, LLDF said, she understands what the hospital is planning to do and says she is still fighting and is “not ready” to die.
“I am appalled that a hospital would even consider withdrawing oxygen from a patient who has clearly communicated that she wants to live,” Snyder said. “When asked if she wants her oxygen removed, Catie’s response was ‘No! I want to live!’”
“Withdrawing Catie’s oxygen to cause her death is active euthanasia,” said Snyder, “which is illegal in Minnesota and every other state. We implore the hospital to do the right thing and provide the care Catie needs.”
This story is still developing, and LifeSiteNews is continuing to follow it for updates.
Contact information for the hospital:
Fairview Southdale Hospital
6401 France Ave. S.
Edina, MN 55435
Information: 952-924-5000
Patient Relations: 952-924-5908
Comments on patient care can be shared HERE.