Canadian science fiction author Peter Watts is healing after contracting necrotising fasciitis late last week. The disease, commonly known as the flesh-eating disease, has been treated and Watts is believed to be clear of the bacteria. He will remain in hospital for some time and will not have direct internet access during that time.
Minneapolis fan Elise Matthesen suffered a minor stroke on January 4 while visiting Patrick and Teresa Nielsen Hayden. After suffering a sudden impairment of vision accompanied by a strong and lateralized headache, Teresa called an ambulance. Matthesen is recuperating and appears as if she will make a full recovery.
Orson Scott Card suffered a minor stroke on New Year’s Day. He is expected to make a full recovery and is continuing to write, but has canceled all his scheduled appearances. Card was scheduled for a book tour in support of his new novel The Lost Gate.
Author Norman Spinrad is recuperating from surgery performed on May 20 at Sloan-Kettering in relation to his stomach cancer.
The Sci Fi Saturday Night podcast will be hosting a charity auction to raise funds for Jeanne Robinson, who has been battling a virulent strain of cancer. The benefit is scheduled to run on May 8 beginning at 8pm Eastern time. Items include artwork by Mike Mignola, Sergio Aragones, Joe Michael Linsner, Ben Templesmith, Mike Lilly, Bob Almond, Frankie B. Washington, and others.
Deb Mensinger, author Laurie Marks’s wife, is in need of a liver transplant. In order to make this possible, several authors and artists have donated items for a charity auction to raise the funds necessary. A Livejournal community has been set up to host the auction and allow others to offer items for auction as well.
Author Gene Wolfe underwent open heart surgery on April 24 after suffering shortness of breath. An echocardiogram showed a leaking mitral valve and Wolfe had underwent double bypass and valve repair surgery. He is recovering well and his family hopes to move him to a rehab facility in the next couple of days.
Author Norman Spinrad has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. Doctors have recommended he treat the cancer with chemotherapy as it is currently inoperable. Spinrad is being treated at Sloan-Kettering.
Doctors have stopped chemotherapy on author Jeanne Robinson, the wife of Spider Robinson. Robinson has been suffering from a virulent form of biliary cancer. Doctors have moved her to palliative care and told Spider and Jeanne and Jeanne had anywhere between one month and a year. Jeanne welcomes prayers, good thoughts, short emails of love and support that don’t require an answer, letters, or cards. Spider asks that nobody visit or call.
Harry Potter fandom will be holding a web-based telethon to raise money for Partners in Health, an organization helping earthquake survivors in Haiti. The telethon is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 23 beginning at 2PM EST. The group has more than 100 prize donations from authors, musicians, and activists to aid in this effort. The telethon will feature performances by Harry and the Potters, Draco and the Malfoys, The Remus Lupins, Ministry of Magic, Lauren Fairweather, and The Whomping Willows.
