1 of 2 brothers seeking livers starts a hunger strike

One of two brothers in Chicago who suffer from a deadly liver disease has begun a hunger strike to draw attention to their inability to get treatment because of their illegal immigrant status.

Elfego and Lorenzo Arroyo suffer from primary amyloidosis. Rush University Medical Center Dr. David Ansell says the disease makes the liver produce abnormal proteins that cause other organs to fail. The only cure is a transplant.

The Arroyos lack insurance, and family members say they’ve been denied care that could increase their chances of survival due to their immigration status.

Ansell says caring for illegal immigrants and the uninsurable is a moral issue. He says Rush will urge other institutions to provide some transplants on charitable grounds. Rush has agreed to fund three transplants.