NZ teacher in hospital. What would you do?

[Colorado]

He's been healthy, happily married for the past three years, trained for the Seoul Marathon last year but suffered a knee injury; played tennis, swam, hiked, jogged, lifted weights at the gym.  He's an average guy, hard working, not a  big partier or hanging out at the bars, but a drinker, yes, during his 5 years here in Korea.  He went to the hospital with stomach problems. They told him to get himself to a better hospital, quick.

[Spongeblob]

The earliest I can get to a bank is next week so when I go I will send out 100,000 Won to help the cause.
For that kind of money he better pull through.   

[Colorado]

I picked up his brother at the airport last night.  He is at the hospital now. 
And I'm not a doctor.

[archaeologist]

And I'm not a doctor

Comments like that go a long way in turning people off in helping. I may sound like the bad guy here butsomeone has to do it.  You and your friends come across as too emotional to think properly  in  this issue and in raising money.

You are too narrowly focused--meeting a potentially high financial need-- and it comes across very wrong. I can see several problems arising you may not have thought of. I will go through some of them for you.

#1. You need to get someone who is not so emotionally involved to be the face of your fundraising and responses. Your minds are not clear enough to forsee the problems that will arise or provide clear information.

#2. You need someone to gather and go through the information in a proper manner to disseminate it to those who donate and thinking of contributing. Properly presented material goes a long ways.

#3. Snide comments like the one quoted above are a turn off. You are asking for help but you should be prepared to help those who answer your pleas. Helping those who help goes a long ways. Providing the details of transplant helps others when they are faced with a similar problem and makes that issue easier to deal with.

#4. Have you thought of the problem if the brother is not compatible and what you will do with any money raised? What verifiable assurances can you provide to donors that the money will be used wisely to meet the needs of Mr. Milne if no donor is found.

#5 What about if you raise too much money and exceed your goal? What will you do with the excess and how will its use be verified?

#6 Right now there is little you can do and waiting is probably killing you but you can't go off half-cocked. You have made your pleas, you have the brother and now you need to do some constructive things to keep your emotions in check and a clear head. You need to deal with issues that come with raising money and you need to stay legit so the potential donors can have peace of mind. It is not all about your friend, you have asked others to be involved thus you need to take their concerns into account

#7 Slow down, think carefully as it all takes time. I am sure that the doctors would do the operation if they see money coming in.

#8. This is something you have to prepare for even though you do not want to think about it--what if the transplant is not successful and the liver is rejected? What are you going to do?

My advice is to stay calm and get someone involved who is not emotionally involved to help you through this and who will deal with the issues you can't. People are not ATMs and need more than just pleas for money. Credibility is an issue especially if the funds are misused--not saying you will do that but it does happen, are you prepared for that problem?

[kaymac]

Sorry to hear about your friend. I hope he pulls through. Will share this link on our city's facebook group. Please let us know if there are any other ways people can help (i.e. blood donation). I am O negative too and frequently gave blood back in Canada and am not currently ineligible as far as Cdn rules go (i.e. recent tattoos, etc). Best of luck to your friend.

[Jokiwi]

I appreaciate the idea of needing someone that isn't so emotionally involved fronting this fundraising campaign, but this is a far from ideal situation. I know Colorado and the other teachers in Miryang that are fronting this are teaching, have families and are doing their best to support Mick and his wife and keeping his family and friends abroad updated. They are also having to travel to visit Mick in hospital.

I'm sure as time passes it will be more organised and the information will be posted. But please be patient. No one is trying to scam anyone, this is a bunch of people trying to help raise some money in the hope we can help save a friends life. And for many of you Mick is a stranger and your generosity means everything to his supporters. You are showing the best of the human spirit.

[Colorado]

I apologize if I came across as snide. I am tired. I have gotten less than 4 hours sleep a night for the past few days.   Maybe someone else should take the lead on this.

[wotsit2004]

I know this might be an obvious/ already-answered suggestion, but is it possible for this guy to go back to his home country for treatment? What's the public health care like in NZ?

[Spongeblob]

I apologize if I came across as snide. I am tired. I have gotten less than 4 hours sleep a night for the past few days.   Maybe someone else should take the lead on this.

Dude.  Don't worry.  You're doing good in a high pressure time.  The problems are getting solved.   You got the lead and you're doing great.  I too am not a doctor. 

[Yu_Bumsuk]

Colorado, commendations on your efforts for a friend. I don't mean to sound depressing or morbid but if he can't fly to NZ does that mean that without a transplant he only has a few days to live? I'm about 20 minutes from Miryang (you do mean in Gyeongsangnamdo, right?) and might be able to tie some sort of fundraiser into our American Thanksgiving potluck, but if he's too critical to fly home might that be too late? I do hope this works out well for your friend.

[Arsalan]

I apologize if I came across as snide. I am tired. I have gotten less than 4 hours sleep a night for the past few days.   Maybe someone else should take the lead on this.

You don't need to apologize

Archeologist might be right about his suggestions, but it's not something people won't give second consideration; everyone understands that being detached from the possibility of a good friend or relative dying is like ignoring a needle getting stabbed into your eye.

JackDaniels actually checked by calling the NZ consulate, it's confirmed.  For those of you who have any doubts, and we'll just have to make some effort into organizing this to get Michael the help he needs.

[minamteacher]

Hey Colorado,

Mind providing information on where we can send money to help Mr. Milne out? I can only imagine how it must feel to be away from your family at a time of medical emergency.

[Yu_Bumsuk]

I apologize if I came across as snide. I am tired. I have gotten less than 4 hours sleep a night for the past few days.   Maybe someone else should take the lead on this.

You don't need to apologize

Archeologist might be right about his suggestions, but it's not something people won't give second consideration; everyone understands that being detached from the possibility of a good friend or relative dying is like ignoring a needle getting stabbed into your eye.

JackDaniels actually checked by calling the NZ consulate, it's confirmed.  For those of you who have any doubts, and we'll just have to make some effort into organizing this to get Michael the help he needs.

The receiving account is under the name of 마이클.

[flasyb]

JackDaniels actually checked by calling the NZ consulate, it's confirmed.

It seemed legitimate but nice one JD for confirming. His bank details are on the facebook page. I'll donate some tonight. It's easy as pie to do these transfers in Korea. Same as paying a bill.

[Colorado]

If you are sending funds from within Korea:
Nonghyup Bank (National Agricultural Cooperative Federation)
Name: 마이클 (Michael Milne)
Account - 811057 52 067773

... If you are sending funds from another country to Mick's Korean account:
Bank name: National Agricultural Cooperative Federation
Name: Michael Milne
Account number: 811057 52 067773
Swift Code - NACFKRSEXXX
Address: 75, Chungjeongro 1 Ga
Jung-Gu, Seoul, Korea
Phone: 82-10-7552-1964

[AC_in_Korea]

Colorado, you are not alone - I am right beside you.

Archeologist, I appreciate you suggestions, and will try to address as many as I can, for the sake of other potential donors.

I don't feel that any one of us has been overly emotional in our pleas on this website.  Passionate, and determined, yes.

I have thought of every single point you mentioned, and I will tell you my feelings on what might be done. Please know though that these are just possibilities that I have thought of, not definite plans.  When we need to consider other options, we will get together as best we can and do so.

#1. I am sure we would all appreciate someone who could come and be the face of our fundraising, and do it within the next couple of weeks!  You say our minds are not clear enough to do this - then I welcome you to Miryang to help us out.  I do not mean this in a snide or negative way at all, I sincerely feel that with all of these suggestions you have provided us with, you feel that you have the knowledge to help us, and it would be truly appreciated.

#2. I do completely understand that people who donate like to know all the facts, both before donating, and even afterwards.  I am one of those people.  At this point, I believe you have all of the information we have, and I am open to answering any other legitimate questions that potential donors may have, but please be patient.

#3. I am in the process of sending private messages to each person that has mentioned they have sent in a donation.  I am currently working from the facebook page, and will do so on the waygook page as well.  Please be patient with me though. 
I am sorry that you perceived a comment as snide, please remember that perception does not always equal the intended meaning, as I tried to remember when reading your comment about us treating people like ATMs.
As for information about organ transplants, I don't have enough to forward anything here.  Certainly if someone needs more information, the internet would be the best resource.  If anyone has some information that they could provide, it would be appreciated.

The rest of the suggestions you provided us with have been thought about, and I believe we will be getting together soon in order to figure it all out.  I have my ideas, and I am sure others have theirs.  Once we get the chance to meet as a group, we will pass on any pertinent information we can!

In all of the scenarios you mentioned the hospital bill is a constant.  So no matter the outcome, and we ask for your good thoughts and prayers that it is positive, there will still be a large hospital bill to pay.

I will continue with my personal thank yous, and I know we will do our very best to keep everyone informed.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

[minamteacher]

I'll stop by the bank tonight and transfer some money. Good luck!

[cansom]

I'm in Miryang and know Michael. I will be donating today as well.
Donating even a small portion is better than nothing... just think about the amount of money we can all blow through in one night going out. Donating even some of that money we would spend on entertainment in a few hours, could go towards helping save a person's life.

There are thousands of causes out there that we donate to and most of those funds go to administration and marketing. This is not the case with our intentions to help our friend. The funds will be used directly for his treatment since he nor his family can come up with all the money needed for this major surgery. We are trying our best to reach out to the communities we are apart of in Korea and that means Waygook as well. We will keep updating his status and the status of what happens with the funds generated. 

Someone mentioned earlier about tying this fundraising effort in with their Thanksgiving dinner plans. I think that would be soo wonderful and is a great idea if others are considering hosting a Thanksgiving meal.

This illness happened really suddenly and it is urgent to get at least a substantial amount of the cost raised to help save Michael's life.
I can't imagine being in his situation. He is in my prayers and thoughts.
Please, any donation counts and is most appreciated.

[Spongeblob]

I'm a cheap miser skinflint set deep in my Scroogelike ways and I'm going to send 100,000 won.  Surely, there are a few teachers out there willing to pry open their dusty wallets.  I'm sacrificing one day of my daily hair gel treatment to help out.  Come on ya bunch of tightwads use your bar money for a good cause.   

[archaeologist]

You say our minds are not clear enough to do this - then I welcome you to Miryang to help us out.  I do not mean this in a snide or negative way at all, I sincerely feel that with all of these suggestions you have provided us with, you feel that you have the knowledge to help us, and it would be truly appreciated.

My advice was to just make sure you didn't get ahead of yourselves or make mistakes. Emotions tend to put things out of whack. I am sure you thought of some of them on your own so just take what you need or haven't thought of and leave the rest.

I can't get away but if you aren't sure of something or have a question pm me.