The bizarre tale of an Australian man inspired by religion to donate a kidney to a Canadian woman was being widely reported in his home country Monday, but a Toronto hospital official would not confirm the reports.
It's been widely reported that Ash Falkingham, 22, headed back to Sydney - both kidneys intact - after Toronto General Hospital decided not to perform the operation when his parents called to say he'd been brainwashed by a religious cult.
Hospital officials said patient confidentiality rules prevent them from discussing particular cases.
Media reports, however, suggest Falkingham's parents called the hospital and informed officials their son was a member of Jesus Christians - a group that believes kidney donation is the "ultimate" expression of faith.
Falkingham spent 10 weeks in Canada waiting to hear whether his donation would be approved. He was scheduled to undergo surgery on April 30.
The hospital is said to have questioned whether Falkingham may have been coerced into donating by the so-called "kidney cult."
Dr. Bob Bell wouldn't discuss the case, but said the hospital goes to great lengths to ensure patients understand there are risks involved in organ donation.
"We've never had patient death during organ donation here, but certainly death has occurred during the process of donations of organs of living donors," he said.
"Its critical that patients understand the risks that they're undergoing and that there's no coercion present in the choice to make a gift like this."
Bell said it's illegal in Canada to receive compensation in exchange for an organ, and that the gift should be based on "altruistic motives."
Australian media reports suggest the man came to Canada to make the donation because under Australian law, he would have had to have a long-term friendship with a recipient before he could donate.
