Perth mum Claire Murray loses her liver transplant fight
From: PerthNow April 01, 2010 9:57AM
TRAGIC: Claire Murray has died after life-support equipment was turned off following yesterday's emergency blood clot surgery Picture: Sixty Minutes Source: PerthNow
SAD END: Claire Murray has died after life-support equipment was turned off following yesterday's emergency blood clot surgery
TRAGIC: Claire Murray has died after life-support equipment was turned off following yesterday's emergency blood clot surgery Picture: Sixty Minutes Source: PerthNow
PERTH liver transplant mum Claire Murray has died in a Singapore hospital after doctors turned off her life-support, following surgery to remove blood clots near her heart.
Channel Seven reported that Ms Murray died around midday after doctors at the Singapore hospital had turned off her life-support machine about 8am today.
Earlier today, Channel Seven's Ric Ardon told 6PR's Simon Beaumont that doctors told Ms Murray's family that Claire had "too many blood clots'' near her heart.
"The family said there were 'too many clots','' Ardon said.
"As a result life-support has been turned off this morning. We believe she only has a couple of hours.''
Ms Murray was in surgery for eight hours yesterday, which ended at about 10pm, but it is believed doctors have done all they can.
It is understood her mother Val, her step-father and natural father Michael Murray were at her bedside.
Ms Murray, who turned 25 the day after she left Perth, travelled to Singapore after the WA Government controversially loaned her family $258,000m interest-free.
The loan sparked public outrage from many who believed the former drug addict did not deserve any special treatment to allow a second liver transplant.
Under the requirements of the loan, the Murray family was expected to pay back the money regardless of the outcome of the surgery.
PerthNow understands the family has not asked for any change to this requirement.
Health Minister Kim Hames said it would be "insensitive" to discuss the details of the $258,000 loan today, just hours after Ms Murray had died.
Under the terms of the two-year loan, the family was required to repay the money - regardless of the outcome of the operation.
It is understood that nothing has changed in that regard and the family has not requested any change.
"My understanding is she had a 60 to 70 per cent chance of surviving the operation and very sadly that hasn't occurred and so quite obviously the family are devastated by her death," Dr Hames told media today.
"I'm not even going to talk about the loan - I just think it would be insensitive of me at this very difficult time to be talking about such things. My heart goes out to the family. "
Dr Hames stood by his decision to lend the money to the Murray family, saying she was a young mother of two chidlren, who deserved a second chance.
He hoped Ms Murray's death would prompt all West Australians to discuss their wishes surrounding organ donation.
Kim Hames' condolence to Murray family
Shortly after Ms Murray's death, Mr Hames issued a short statement, expressing his condolences to the Murray family.
"The loss of a young person like Claire is tragic," Dr Hames said.
"She was a much loved daughter to her parents and a mother to her two sons.
"She was also an example of what can happen when the scourge of illicit drugs enters the life of a young person."
Dr Hames said he believed Claire deserved every chance to watch her two young boys grow up.
"I can honestly say we did everything we could to give her that chance," he said.
"I hope Claire’s legacy is one of compassion, and that tonight every West Australian will discuss their wishes in regard to organ donation with the families and loved ones.
"In this State we have bipartisan support to investigate ways to boost our rate of registration for organ donation. As of late February, just 16 per cent of West Australians had registered as organ donors, compared to more than 20 per cent in NSW, Victoria and Queensland."
Claire's father flew to Singapore
Yesterday Claire's father Michael Murray flew to Singapore to be with his daughter.
On Wednesday sources told PerthNow that Claire Murray's condition was serious – but her family had remained optimistic she could beat this latest setback.
Ms Murray was rushed back into intensive care on Tuesday after developing a serious infection following the "live liver transplant'' operation in a Singapore hospital two weeks ago.
The Perth mother-of-two, a recovering drug addict, received a portion of her aunty Carolynn's liver, but has been hit by post-surgical complications.
Her first liver transplant failed after she returned to using drugs. A piece of her aunty's liver was transplanted into her body last month as part of a "live" liver transplant.
Her aunty Carolynn remains in the same hospital where she is recovering from her surgery.
From: PerthNow April 01, 2010 9:57AM
TRAGIC: Claire Murray has died after life-support equipment was turned off following yesterday's emergency blood clot surgery Picture: Sixty Minutes Source: PerthNow
SAD END: Claire Murray has died after life-support equipment was turned off following yesterday's emergency blood clot surgery
TRAGIC: Claire Murray has died after life-support equipment was turned off following yesterday's emergency blood clot surgery Picture: Sixty Minutes Source: PerthNow
PERTH liver transplant mum Claire Murray has died in a Singapore hospital after doctors turned off her life-support, following surgery to remove blood clots near her heart.
Channel Seven reported that Ms Murray died around midday after doctors at the Singapore hospital had turned off her life-support machine about 8am today.
Earlier today, Channel Seven's Ric Ardon told 6PR's Simon Beaumont that doctors told Ms Murray's family that Claire had "too many blood clots'' near her heart.
"The family said there were 'too many clots','' Ardon said.
"As a result life-support has been turned off this morning. We believe she only has a couple of hours.''
Ms Murray was in surgery for eight hours yesterday, which ended at about 10pm, but it is believed doctors have done all they can.
It is understood her mother Val, her step-father and natural father Michael Murray were at her bedside.
Ms Murray, who turned 25 the day after she left Perth, travelled to Singapore after the WA Government controversially loaned her family $258,000m interest-free.
The loan sparked public outrage from many who believed the former drug addict did not deserve any special treatment to allow a second liver transplant.
Under the requirements of the loan, the Murray family was expected to pay back the money regardless of the outcome of the surgery.
PerthNow understands the family has not asked for any change to this requirement.
Health Minister Kim Hames said it would be "insensitive" to discuss the details of the $258,000 loan today, just hours after Ms Murray had died.
Under the terms of the two-year loan, the family was required to repay the money - regardless of the outcome of the operation.
It is understood that nothing has changed in that regard and the family has not requested any change.
"My understanding is she had a 60 to 70 per cent chance of surviving the operation and very sadly that hasn't occurred and so quite obviously the family are devastated by her death," Dr Hames told media today.
"I'm not even going to talk about the loan - I just think it would be insensitive of me at this very difficult time to be talking about such things. My heart goes out to the family. "
Dr Hames stood by his decision to lend the money to the Murray family, saying she was a young mother of two chidlren, who deserved a second chance.
He hoped Ms Murray's death would prompt all West Australians to discuss their wishes surrounding organ donation.
Kim Hames' condolence to Murray family
Shortly after Ms Murray's death, Mr Hames issued a short statement, expressing his condolences to the Murray family.
"The loss of a young person like Claire is tragic," Dr Hames said.
"She was a much loved daughter to her parents and a mother to her two sons.
"She was also an example of what can happen when the scourge of illicit drugs enters the life of a young person."
Dr Hames said he believed Claire deserved every chance to watch her two young boys grow up.
"I can honestly say we did everything we could to give her that chance," he said.
"I hope Claire’s legacy is one of compassion, and that tonight every West Australian will discuss their wishes in regard to organ donation with the families and loved ones.
"In this State we have bipartisan support to investigate ways to boost our rate of registration for organ donation. As of late February, just 16 per cent of West Australians had registered as organ donors, compared to more than 20 per cent in NSW, Victoria and Queensland."
Claire's father flew to Singapore
Yesterday Claire's father Michael Murray flew to Singapore to be with his daughter.
On Wednesday sources told PerthNow that Claire Murray's condition was serious – but her family had remained optimistic she could beat this latest setback.
Ms Murray was rushed back into intensive care on Tuesday after developing a serious infection following the "live liver transplant'' operation in a Singapore hospital two weeks ago.
The Perth mother-of-two, a recovering drug addict, received a portion of her aunty Carolynn's liver, but has been hit by post-surgical complications.
Her first liver transplant failed after she returned to using drugs. A piece of her aunty's liver was transplanted into her body last month as part of a "live" liver transplant.
Her aunty Carolynn remains in the same hospital where she is recovering from her surgery.
