This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/31/mexican-man-needing-heart-and-liver-transplant-is-finally-granted-us-visa

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Mexican man needing heart and liver transplant is finally granted US visa Mexican man needing heart and liver transplant is granted pass to enter US
(about 2 hours later)
US authorities have given a 90-day humanitarian pass to a 20-year-old Mexican man seeking a double heart and liver transplant, his mother has said.US authorities have given a 90-day humanitarian pass to a 20-year-old Mexican man seeking a double heart and liver transplant, his mother has said.
The document, which Jose Chua received and a copy of which was shared with the Associated Press, grants him a temporary stay in the US to seek medical treatment. Chua had twice been denied a tourist visa by the Department of Homeland Security.The document, which Jose Chua received and a copy of which was shared with the Associated Press, grants him a temporary stay in the US to seek medical treatment. Chua had twice been denied a tourist visa by the Department of Homeland Security.
“I don’t have words to express my gratitude to everyone who has prayed for us and have helped us find a solution,” said Mayra Lopez, Chua’s mother.“I don’t have words to express my gratitude to everyone who has prayed for us and have helped us find a solution,” said Mayra Lopez, Chua’s mother.
Chua was born with only one ventricle in his heart, causing circulation problems that mean blood reaches only one of the four chambers. His liver has also been damaged and he needs a heart and liver double-transplant, a procedure that is not performed in his home country.Chua was born with only one ventricle in his heart, causing circulation problems that mean blood reaches only one of the four chambers. His liver has also been damaged and he needs a heart and liver double-transplant, a procedure that is not performed in his home country.
The so-called “humanitarian parole” can be renewed while Chua is in the US. If Chua, who plans to seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is accepted for the transplant, the wait for organs could be long.The so-called “humanitarian parole” can be renewed while Chua is in the US. If Chua, who plans to seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is accepted for the transplant, the wait for organs could be long.
“This is the most complicated case that we have had since we started doing this,” said Kevin Forbes, director of the US-based Consejo de Latinos Unidos, which helps uninsured people get access to medical care. “We’ve never been involved in the transplant waiting list and the complications this implies.”“This is the most complicated case that we have had since we started doing this,” said Kevin Forbes, director of the US-based Consejo de Latinos Unidos, which helps uninsured people get access to medical care. “We’ve never been involved in the transplant waiting list and the complications this implies.”
“They will evaluate if it is possible to operate, and in the case that it is, he will have to wait and live near the hospital until the organs arrive. It could be months or years of waiting.”“They will evaluate if it is possible to operate, and in the case that it is, he will have to wait and live near the hospital until the organs arrive. It could be months or years of waiting.”
The cost of Chua’s diagnosis in the US is expected to be US$13,000 plus travel and lodging expenses. His family has resorted to raffles, selling food and accepting donations to raise it. The double transplant itself could cost as much as $2m.The cost of Chua’s diagnosis in the US is expected to be US$13,000 plus travel and lodging expenses. His family has resorted to raffles, selling food and accepting donations to raise it. The double transplant itself could cost as much as $2m.
Forbes said eventually those costs would be negotiated with the hospital and a campaign to raise the money would be launched, including an online crowdfunding effort.Forbes said eventually those costs would be negotiated with the hospital and a campaign to raise the money would be launched, including an online crowdfunding effort.
“We don’t want the clinic to lose money,” Forbes said, “but it should be reasonable.”“We don’t want the clinic to lose money,” Forbes said, “but it should be reasonable.”