When there is an emrgency need for money you have to sell your money don't look for profits at the emergency situation that is what my opinion here.But it totally depends on the person and their character there are sompe people won't lose their profis even for the medical expenses of their close relatives or family person.
I know sometimes, life can deal us with things far more than we can handle, and in such cases, we may just have to sell some of our investments, even at loss, just to get that solved, and most especially when it has to do with life threatening issues.
However, it should always be known that for most part of it, unless it is an emergency that is far beyond someone's capacity to handle, then the person can sell, if not, knowing that the future of what I am holding is top notch, and if I can look for means to rally round and get things done, it would not be a bad idea.