Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use

For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.

For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it in ICU on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.

"We were told last week that she has a couple of weeks left to live maybe a month if she's very lucky, " said her partner, Nathan Allen.

Huska, 36, was referred for a liver transplant to the University Health Network (UHN), the country's largest liver transplant center. However, she was rejected.

In documents shared with CTV News, notes show Huska was declined after the Alcohol Liver Disease team at UHN reviewed her medical information and conducted a psychological review, noting their decision was based on "minimal abstinence outside of hospital."

Medical notes suggest she started drinking in her late teens and had tried -- unsuccessfully -- to quit. After periods of sobriety, she returned to alcohol, which could increase the risk of continued use after the transplant.

Allen says Huska registered for an addiction program early on in her hospital stay to stop drinking after she's discharged. Hospital records also say she suffers from anxiety.

"She expressed to me that this was a wake-up call for her, and wanted to turn her life around," said Allen.