Spinlight said:

And it should be awkward to ask their employer's clients for donations or handouts-especially without giving more information. I give based on need..even overgenerously..but for me personally this is not a need to donate. And I also don't think Prince has to give a handout either.

PurpleChi said:

Spinlight said:

Sure, but there's about 5 million other right things with open mouthes, too. You'll go broke doing the right thing every time. In this situation, Prince has given them blessing to advertise thru his fanbase their need. If they didn't wanna ask him, his own Do The Right Thing should've kicked in. And that's my point. Not that doing the right thing is bad.

Just as a correction, I saw the donation request on the Twinz's Twitter. I know others said it was also on their Facebook. They were not the ones to post it here (Prince's fan site), correct? Also, hospital bills can be astronomical. I think some on this thread are overestimating how much Prince actually pays them. Remember they are his dancers, not his musicians. Also, their own projects have not yet gotten off the ground. Thus, it is likely that their cash flow is pretty average right now. We don't know if Prince has helped out or not. I agree with Vendetta1 that it may be awkward to ask him for those kind of funds--no matter if he does have it in his back pocket. The more appropriate route would be to wait and see if/what he offers.

vandeluca said:

vandeluca said:

And it should be awkward to ask their employer's clients for donations or handouts-especially without giving more information. I give based on need..even overgenerously..but for me personally this is not a need to donate. And I also don't think Prince has to give a handout either.

As has already been stated, they posted the information on THEIR twitter and fb account - ie. THEIR friends and fans. Someone else chose to draw attention to the cause here, which seems a reasonable thing to do, given that there are a lot of members here who like and/or respect the twins through their work with Prince.

They've listed exactly what the money is going towards, right down to details of tests and procedures. I'm not sure how much more information you need.

Those that wish to give have presumably already done so. Those who don't wish to haven't.

It really doesn't need to turn into a discussion about whether or not Prince should donate or whether it's appropriate to ask for donations or whether someone should have travelled o/s without travel insurance, etc...

Look at it this way - if your mum/dad/loved one was in hospital overseas, you didn't have the money to pay their outstanding medical bills and you had some potential means of raising the money, what would you do? Seriously.

Best wishes to them all

Chiquetet said:

IN BOLD BELOW....

They've listed exactly what the money is going towards, right down to details of tests and procedures. I'm not sure how much more information you need.

As I stated before, hospitals negotiate bills. I know because I have lots of experience with hosptials and coming from a place out of the US. One might assume that an MRI or whatever is $X, but after speaking to the hospital or tellling them they don't have the funds, the hospital can knock off alot. So if they get $10k worth of donations and their bills are $5k in the end, I guess you get the reufnd right? There is definitely not enough detail-they did not post what they needed exactly. Sure, maybe if someone wants to blindly throw money away.

Those that wish to give have presumably already done so. Those who don't wish to haven't.

It really doesn't need to turn into a discussion about whether or not Prince should donate or whether it's appropriate to ask for donations or whether someone should have travelled o/s without travel insurance, etc...

Look at it this way - if your mum/dad/loved one was in hospital overseas, you didn't have the money to pay their outstanding medical bills and you had some potential means of raising the money, what would you do? Seriously.

I would not beg-this has happened to me and my direct family and indirect family. I had to take a sick Father in law to Canada for treatment and ask for a bill reduction. It worked..and this was surgury, cancer, chemo, radiation. I have expeirence in the US with it too. Again, it is tacky. They did not get a statement yet or finality of cost yet they beg fans. Once someone here posted that link and I saw in one hand begging for funds for mum, and in the next they were getting massages (possibly as part of their employment I don't know)..it just seemed a bit too much to have that in the same sentence. When funds are tight, you forgo those things.

Best wishes to them all Agreed.

vandeluca said:

As I stated before, hospitals negotiate bills. I know because I have lots of experience with hosptials and coming from a place out of the US. One might assume that an MRI or whatever is $X, but after speaking to the hospital or tellling them they don't have the funds, the hospital can knock off alot. So if they get $10k worth of donations and their bills are $5k in the end, I guess you get the reufnd right? There is definitely not enough detail-they did not post what they needed exactly. Sure, maybe if someone wants to blindly throw money away.

Hopefully they know this - but perhaps, even so, they still need to cover the costs.

I can tell you that the perception here in Australia of the US health system is that the costs can be astronomical and there is no room for negotiation. It sounds like that's wrong (although, respectfully, the fact that you had to take your father-in-law to Canada suggests that you couldn't get a bill reduction in the US?), but perhaps the girls don't even know that they can negotiate.

Regardless, looking at that list, I'd be extremely surprised if they raise more money than they need. The last I heard, their mum is still in hospital, so the costs would continue to add up. I hope they get enough to at least ensure her continued treatment, and eventually enough to cover all of the bills.

vandeluca said:

I would not beg-this has happened to me and my direct family and indirect family. I had to take a sick Father in law to Canada for treatment and ask for a bill reduction. It worked..and this was surgury, cancer, chemo, radiation. I have expeirence in the US with it too. Again, it is tacky. They did not get a statement yet or finality of cost yet they beg fans. Once someone here posted that link and I saw in one hand begging for funds for mum, and in the next they were getting massages (possibly as part of their employment I don't know)..it just seemed a bit too much to have that in the same sentence. When funds are tight, you forgo those things.

Each to their own. I would do what they have done - I don't see it as begging so much as appealing to a sympathetic group of friends and fans.

They work bloody hard on that stage at every show and I damn well hope they get massages as part of their employment deal. I understand what you're saying, but I don't think they have to self-censor because of what they are asking for regarding their mother's situation. If anything I would find that a little disconcerting (ie. manufacturing their image to get sympathy). They're professional dancers. Of course they get massages. It's not a luxury in this case.

[Edited 5/31/11 22:35pm]

i think i saw somewhere that the mum was discharged from hospital but then had to go back in?.. gawd, top her up with a couple units blood & stick her back in the plane!!

they must have made a few quid from the charity gig.., can't the band have a whip round? can't they just release the house of bluees cd & rake in some cash? in the name of compassion & jehova!!

No there is no suggestion that we tried in the US...In our case he was not a US Citizen...had nothing to do with not being able to negotiate. He was naturalized CDN and born somewhere else (not US) but resided where he was born...therefore unqualified for the free program...WE had contacts in Canada in which to recover so that part made it easier. THe US was actually closer in proxmity to where we live-and warmer...so it would have been the preferred place.

I personally negotiate hospital stuff for my family for care in the US..My husband is not a USC either. It can be done. My case is not unique. Hospitals have departments for that.

I don't know - but normally when people 'solicit' funds like that and actually make a pay pal account etc, they provide status updates, blogs, whatever on what is going on so people that have given can see the progress or what is needed, etc. ..minimal details at least.

And lastly, I hate to say it but I think you said something about they do other projects and said they posted for their fans from other projects -so people can donate. The fact of the matter is that they would most likely remain not really known had they not been dancers for Prince-or him employing or being in the tabloids with them over the years.

Hopefully they know this - but perhaps, even so, they still need to cover the costs.

I can tell you that the perception here in Australia of the US health system is that the costs can be astronomical and there is no room for negotiation. It sounds like that's wrong (although, respectfully, the fact that you had to take your father-in-law to Canada suggests that you couldn't get a bill reduction in the US?), but perhaps the girls don't even know that they can negotiate.

Regardless, looking at that list, I'd be extremely surprised if they raise more money than they need. The last I heard, their mum is still in hospital, so the costs would continue to add up. I hope they get enough to at least ensure her continued treatment, and eventually enough to cover all of the bills.

DoffieParker said:

And lastly, I hate to say it but I think you said something about they do otherprojects and said they posted for their fans from other projects -so people can donate. The fact of the matter is that they would most likely remain not really known had they not been dancers for Prince-or him employing or being in the tabloids with them over the years.

"Twinz' mom needs our help to cover hospital bills"

Ask Prince, I'm broke...

If Prince wants to release a charity single, a la "S.S.T.", I'll buy it... Otherwise, no.

[Edited 6/5/11 8:11am]

PurpleChi said:

DoffieParker said:

i think i saw somewhere that the mum was discharged from hospital but then had to go back in?.. gawd, top her up with a couple units blood & stick her back in the plane!!

they must have made a few quid from the charity gig.., can't the band have a whip round? can't they just release the house of bluees cd & rake in some cash? in the name of compassion & jehova!!

Was the charity show at HOB for them? Did anyone every confirm what the charity actually was?

there was a mention in the concert threads somewhere about it... that it was done 4 the mum, but no official link

So needing help to cover their mom's hospital bills means they're just broke idiots? Oh OK... Nice to see people thinking this is all to get Prince. Whatever. I'd do the same thing they were doing. Hope she gets help.