[Cicero]

No, we don't know the reasons, of course.

All I can say is that I can easily conceive of having such a bad relationship with a brother or sister that I never wanted to see them again or have them in my house, whether it was my fault or hers or some combination of the two. I think I would still be willing to donate bone marrow to save that person's life, however. Maybe we'd never speak to each other again even after that. But it still seems wrong to me to deny someone the chance to live.

[sarasmom]

That's why my #1, was the "other" reason first.

It will be interesting to hear "the rest of the story", if we ever do.
The story as written actually doesn't add up, in that the sister agreed a few years ago to donate the required bone marrow, and then changed her mind, after the short "remission".
Her sister-in-law has also physically assaulted her.

I will still reserve judgement untill I learn the facts in the rest of this ugly story.

Not out of any unwarranted, special consideration for either the sister or the brother, but because the media has reported it, as if it was worthy of news coverage.
Somebody has an agenda, and I would like to know who and what it is, first.