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We are fequently contacted in emergency situations by family members of Jehovah's Witnesses in life threatening situations. These situations are always unique and frequently very complex. Time is always of the essence. This section is your best resource for quickly assimilating the available information at AJWRB and coming up with a plan of action.

If your JW relative makes a conscious choice to accept a blood product that is not presently permitted by the WTS, and congregation elders learn of this, an announcement will likely be made to the congregation that they have made a choice to disassociate themselves  from Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their JW friends and any JW family members not living under the same roof will be required to shun him. It is a terrible choice they are confronted with. The WTS essentially holds a gun to their head while claiming they have a free choice. Additionally, they may believe that God will destroy them eternally for trying to preserve their life. They are under great duress and the influence of carefully orchestrated mind control techniques.

The simplest way to demonstrate this is by asking them the following question:
 

"_____ I know that Jehovah's Witnesses do not take blood, red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets. I also know that the Watchtower permits the use of albumin, blood serum, clotting factors, fibrinogen, hemoglobin and other blood products. Please tell me where in the Bible it explains which parts of the blood a Jehovah's Witness may accept and which parts are forbidden?"

A rational person in full control of their mental faculties will quickly conclude that the WTS policy on the use of blood is irrational and without biblical basis since there is no answer to the above question. This one question has opened the minds of many Jehovah's Witnesses - consider using it.

It is possible that your JW family member  already have doubts about the WTS and its policies and may be open to a frank discussion regarding the use of blood products. It may be that one of the new oxygen carrying blood substitutes that the WTS permits (Hemopure or Polyheme) could be secured on an emergency basis for him. You can explore this issue if time permits and the physician is willing.
 

We can not over emphasize the importance of asking the doctors to talk privately with your JW relative. Physicians have told us "off the record" that when they can talk privately with JW patients 25-50% of them will say "do what you must to save my life."

Peer pressure is enormous in the JW community, so whatever private thoughts an individual JW may have, they are usually very afraid to express when other JWs are present. If previous discussions about the blood issue have taken place in your relatives room while others are present,  there is a high probability that an honest discussion did not take place.

Getting that private discussion held is no easy task. JWs, especially elders and Hospital Liaison Committee members are trained to not leave the JW patient alone. Their motive is to "protect" the JW from unwanted blood administration.

If you can reach the doctors, surgeons and/or anesthesiologists and ask for them to arrange a private meeting somehow there is a chance that your relative will consent to some form of help that the doctors deem essential. Many doctors are very willing to assist in this way. It would be helpful if you could remind the doctors that privacy is of the utmost necessity. The doctors may be in a position to offer to administer all blood products in the O.R. in such a way that the family never sees this administration take place.

Additionally, you may present the following information to the physician:
 

Needs more thought - perhaps this letter should be basis for emergency physician/medicall personnel files:

Dear Dr. Dean:

Family members of your patient

We were contacted by Ann Lowerre regarding her nephew - Collin Stephens. She is understandably distressed about the family’s position on the use of blood and has asked us to try and assist which we are pleased to do.

You will find extensive resources available to you in the physicians section of our web site:
http://www.ajwrb.org/physicians/index.shtml

As you probably realize, these situations are very complex and it would take a great deal of your time to familiarize yourself with all of the issues. Depending on the case, you may not have sufficient time for such an undertaking. Some physicians even after carefully studying the issues remain unclear about exactly what role they should play. Dr. Muramoto and I have written extensively about these issues and you will find those articles at the web site if you have time available. What follows below is a brief outline of what I believe are the primary considerations in such a situation as well as suggestions about various approaches that you might want to consider using. Ultimately, you will have to decide how best to proceed.

1. If the patient is unconscious, you should see if he has signed an advance directive. These are generally issued every year (wallet sized) though this past January the Watchtower Society (hereafter WTS) did not issue a new one. You should be aware that these are signed as a group with elders verifying the proper execution of the document. There is a significant level of pressure and coercion to sign the form. In my own case as a JW elder, I found myself carrying the document for several years after I reached the point where I could not support the policy.
2. Younger JW patients are the most likely to withdraw the advance directive. Reports from some physicians indicating 25-50% electing to accept blood under certain circumstances. The acceptance of the advance directive without an actual conversation with the patient is controversial. Some believe the advance directive should not be honored where the patient is unconscious. My personal belief is that it should be honored in most situations involving Jehovah’s Witnesses who are 30 or more years of age.
3. Approximately 2/3 of all children who are reared as Jehovah’s Witnesses eventually leave the religion.
4. Every effort should be made to have a private conference with the Jehovah’s Witness patient to ascertain exactly what their wishes are. Family members and any staff member who is a JW should not be present.
5. If the patient is willing to accept a blood transfusion, every effort must be made to protect patient confidentiality. We generally recommend that the transfusion be administered in the O.R. – completely out of sight.
6. It is important that you understand the very high degree of control that exists within Jehovah’s Witnesses. Contrary to what the Watchtower and JW elders will tell you, the JW patient does not have the right to make an informed, free choice. If they accept blood or a blood product not presently permitted by the WTS – in all likelihood they will be shunned and ostracized. JW friends and any JW family member (other than those living under the same roof) will refuse to even greet them. This is a closed society so the effect of such shunning can be devastating and is an incredible deterrent towards informed, autonomous patient choice.
7. If the patient makes it clear they do not want blood, you should at least consider using what Dr. Muramoto refers to “non-interventional paternalism.” This does not have to be complex or awkward. We have published a brochure that can help you. It is available online:

http://www.ajwrb.org/physicians/please.html

In the event, you do not have access to the internet; I have quoted a key excerpt below:

“We believe the following questions will be helpful in getting the Witness patient to stop and think about their position:

          "Could you, as a Jehovah's Witness, please explain to me which blood therapies you can
          accept, which you cannot, and why the difference?"

          "I am especially interested in knowing where the Bible explains which parts of the blood
          you may or may not accept." [Omit this sentence if you are uncomfortable with it but
          understand that it will cause the patient to seriously reflect on why they are supporting
          these mandates from the WTS]

          "Please do not give me a publication that I'm too busy to read, or ask me to speak with
          an elder from your congregation. It’s important that I understand what you are thinking
          and why you are prepared to die over this issue."
 

It is also very important that you understand exactly what blood products the Watchtower presently permits since this is very fluid. The most recent change now permits all blood products that are fractionated from red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. Albumin, fibrinogen, serum and clotting factors have been permitted for some time. The change is June of 2000 opens the door to the use of hemoglobin solution. As a result, there are two very important considerations:

1. If you can gain access to HemoPure or Polyheme, you may have a good alternative therapy. Be advised that the typical JW does not understand that hemoglobin solutions are now permitted. You may need to enlist the aid of the JW Hospital Liaison Committee (HLC) to convince them that this is not something that the Watchtower forbids.
2. If you cannot gain access to a hemoglobin solution, you should at least consider having a very direct discussion with the patient about the minimal difference between using hemoglobin and using packed red cells which are nothing more than tiny donut shaped bags of hemoglobin. Broken down by dry weight, the red cell is 97% hemoglobin and 3% bag (membrane). To permit hemoglobin and ban red cells is the equivalent of saying to someone, "see that plastic jug of milk over there? You can take the milk, but I will report you to the police if you actually take the plastic jug with the milk."

The brochure, “Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Really Abstain from Blood?” has opened many minds to contradictory and irrational nature of the WTS policy on the use of blood. You can download and print the brochure from your computer:

http://www.ajwrb.org/basics/abstain.shtml

Lastly, bear in mind that the JW patient is operating under the influence of mind control and programmed phobias. Fear of contamination by blood, fear of contracting a dreaded disease like AIDS (the WTS grossly exaggerates these risks to bolster support for the policy), fear of being shunned, fear of being destroyed by God, etc. You may be dealing with a patient with a Dissociative Disorder in addition to the physical injuries or disease (see: http://www.freedomofmind.com/book/bk_2.asp)

Understanding the JW mindset will be helpful as you try to establish the presence of informed consent and ascertain whether their treatment choice is truly autonomous or simply parroting the policy of the group.

AJWRB respects the right of all Jehovah’s Witnesses to a free choice in their medical care, regardless of whether their treatment happens to be one that the WTS presently approves. In times past, the WTS banned the use of vaccines, organ transplants and every one of the blood products presently permitted. Their ideas about what God will permit have radically changed in the past and will likely do so in the future.

Please be assured of our best wishes and hopes for a positive outcome for Collin. If we can be of further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. Unfortunately, most of us in AJWRB are under the same coercion and pressure that Collin faces, so we have to protect our identity. You may reach me by email: LeeElder@ajwrb.org – or follow the contact instructions from our web site:

http://www.ajwrb.org/newsmedia/index.shtml

Sincerely,

Lee Elder
AJWRB

*********************************************************************
The Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood, is a diverse group of Witnesses from over 25 countries, including elders and other organization officials, Hospital Liaison Committee members, doctors and members of the general public. All have volunteered their time and energies in an effort to bring about an end to a tragic and misguided policy that has claimed thousands of lives, many of them children.
Website:  http://www.ajwrb.org       Email:  info@ajwrb.org
Please support our educational work, send your contribution to:
AJWRB - P.O. Box 190089 - Boise, ID 83719-0089 U.S.A.
*********************************************************************
 
 

How will the following be used??
 
 

September 5, 2002

Sister Jayne Stephens
Transmitted Via Fax

Re: Collin Stephens

Dear Sister Stephens:

On behalf of the brothers and sisters associated with AJWRB, I want to express our deep concern for the welfare of your son and your family. It is our sincere hope that Collin’s condition improves and that he makes a full recovery from his accident.

Please allow me to briefly tell you about myself. I am a third generation Jehovah’s Witness, baptized well over three decades ago and served as an elder for ten years. I am an advocate of blood conservation medicine as well as a parent myself and I have the perspective of having lost a close family member who refused blood. Additionally, I know many individuals in the organization who have lost family members when they refused medically necessary blood transfusions.

If Collin’s refusal of blood products were to contribute to his death, there is a high probability that you will feel the need to carefully examine the Watchtower Society’s policy on the use of blood. When a Jehovah’s Witness begins to carefully examine the policy and ask difficult questions, it is my experience that they generally feel very unsatisfied with the answers (or in many cases complete lack of answers) they receive from elders, HLC members and Bethel.

It would be my hope that you gather the courage to ask the questions now while your son is still alive. If you are satisfied with the answers given by your husband, other elders, HLC members or H.I.S., you have lost nothing and your faith in the validity of the WTS blood policy will be strengthened. It will be clear to you that were your son to die, it was a sacrifice absolutely required by Jehovah God. If, however, you find there are things about the policy that don’t make sense to you, and you want to do everything possible to help save your son while still maintaining a clean conscience before Jehovah – we may be able to help you do that as well. Additionally, it is possible for Collin to receive the treatment he may need to live and for matters to remain completely confidential. Dr. Dean can arrange this so that you may both save your son and perhaps not fracture your standing as a Jehovah’s Witness. We have helped others to do this as well.

First, however, you must be settled in your heart and have a clean conscience before God and man. The blood issue is very complex and rather than delve into the arguments I want to ask you just a few very basic questions.

1. As a Jehovah’s Witness, which blood products can you accept and which must you refuse?
2. What is the biblical basis for this position? For example, why is it that a JW who accepts
albumin, EPO, blood serums, fibrinogen, hemoglobin or clotting factors is simply acting within the scope of “Christian conscience”, but a JW who accepts a platelet agent is guilty of committing a gross sin? Where in the Bible do we learn which parts of blood Jehovah permits and does not permit?

(For your information, the blood product hemoglobin that the WTS now permits makes up approximately 13.5% of blood volume – it is no minor fraction! On the other hand, platelets make up only0.17% of blood volume and they are forbidden.)

Please try your best to find a satisfying answer to these two questions. Put the questions into your own words and ask the brothers that you respect the most to answer them for you. Call Hospital Information Services in Bethel – do whatever you need to do to satisfy yourself as to whether anyone in the WTS has the answers. Please - make no mention of AJWRB! You do not need anymore stress in your life at this moment.

I understand that it probably shocks you to learn that there is a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses who disagree with the WTS official blood policy. That elders and HLC members have openly debated these issues in the Journal of Medical Ethics and The British Medical Journal (BMJ), but it is true. The BMJ is the British equivalent of the Journal of American Medicine (JAMA). If you can get access to a computer go their web site and read the following article:

“Bioethical aspects of the recent changes in the policy of refusal of blood by Jehovah's Witnesses”

Here is a direct address: http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/322/7277/37

You can also follow the discussion between various Jehovah’s Witness elders and H.L.C. members regarding the life or death issues discussed in the article. Please do this for yourself and your son. This is not an apostate web site but rather a widely recognized medical journal.

At this point, if you find that you have nagging doubts about the policy and questions that are not being answered satisfactorily, you should view the material at our web site: www.ajwrb.org
It is a comprehensive review of the blood policy with extensive resources to help you.

The brochure, “Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Really Abstain from Blood?” has helped thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses to see the contradictory and irrational nature of the WTS policy on the use of blood. You can download and print the brochure from a computer:

http://www.ajwrb.org/basics/abstain.shtml

AJWRB respects the right of all Jehovah’s Witnesses to a free choice in their medical care, regardless of whether their treatment happens to be one that the WTS presently approves. In times past, the WTS banned the use of vaccines, organ transplants and every one of the blood products presently permitted. The ideas of WT leaders regarding what Jehovah God will permit have radically changed in the past and will likely do so in the future.

It’s important that you be settled in your heart about making so great a sacrifice. I suggest you contemplate the process of explaining to Jehovah why it was necessary for your son to die. Could you answer even the simple questions that I have posed? We think of Abraham as a man of faith because he was willing to offer Isaac up. Suppose he had actually gone through with this and then let us further suppose that in reality Abraham had not clearly understood what God had wanted and acted on his own taking the life of his son. What would we then call Abraham? Surely, you see the importance of being absolutely certain that this is a sacrifice that Jehovah God insists on!

Please be assured of our best wishes and hopes for a positive outcome for Collin. If we can be of further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. Unfortunately, most of us in AJWRB are forced to protect our identity to avoid judicial action from the WTS. You may reach me by email: LeeElder@ajwrb.org – or follow the contact instructions from our web site:

http://www.ajwrb.org/newsmedia/index.shtml

Your fellow servant,

Lee Elder
AJWRB

P.S. Another elder has already spoke with your husband. Apparently, Don hung up the phone when he learned the purpose of the call. You are your son’s best hope to survive. Please trust your motherly instincts. We will do our best to help you through this.

*********************************************************************
The Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood, is a diverse group of Witnesses from over 25 countries, including elders and other organization officials, Hospital Liaison Committee members, doctors and members of the general public. All have volunteered their time and energies in an effort to bring about an end to a tragic and misguided policy that has claimed thousands of lives, many of them children.
Website:  http://www.ajwrb.org       Email:  info@ajwrb.org
 AJWRB - P.O. Box 190089 - Boise, ID 83719-0089 U.S.A.
*********************************************************************

Also include section about training advocates.

Develop flip board presentation - build off of brochure

1. Do they know what is permitted
2. Show them - get agreement to consider what you have to say if they can't answer a question.
3. Ask them to explain why some are permitted and others are not.
4. Show them changes - vaccines, organ transplants,
5. Ask why did God change his mind? Does it makes sense to you?
6. Show chart, some quotations.
7. Show picture of hemodilution, cell saver, hemopure
8. Explain that a group of JWs disagrees
9. Explain medical confidentiality
10. State their right to choose should be respected.
 

----------

Hi Sam,

You wrote:

----- Original Message -----
From: "Osamu Muramoto" <muramoto@aracnet.com>
To: "Lee Elder" <LeeElder@ajwrb.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 10:54 AM
Subject: Re: Greetings!
 

> Hi Lee,
>
> On Tue, 31 Dec 2002 22:56:50 -0700 Lee Elder wrote:
> >Hi Sam,
> >
> >I am already doing what I can with the family in these situations.
> >Do you think it is a waste of time to try and engage the physicians?
>
> If physicians seek information or help, we will be glad to help.
> Otherwise, family and patient are the ones who should play the
> central role. Give them all the information including information
> for physicians, which family can present to his physicians.
>
> >Should I just direct the family members to speak with the physician and
> >direct them to AJWRB resources and leave it as this?
>
> I think so.

O.K. - that is the way it will be then. I working on a new page
for the web site that will address these situations and we need
a policy.
 

>
> >You must come from a good gene pool - your father seems
> >very strong. I hope he is still having a decent quality of life too.
>
> He has settled in a nursing home, and seems to be comfortable
> being there.
>
> Now I have a question.
>
> I looked at the California Advance Directive you mailed. Can
> you summarize the difference of this one from the previous
> version? I looked at the previous version (Jan 2001) and I do
> not see obvious changes. What was the reason they could not use
> the old version in Jan 2002 if there are no substantial changes?

The problem they had was with the "pocket size" advance directive.
It contained a statement about not using any "allogeneic" blood transfusions
which was pretty obscure, so they didn't pass them out. They still had
the long form advance directive/health care proxy for those requesting them.
 

>
> >Happy New Year,
> >
> >Lee
>
> Same to you. I hope I can do more for AJWRB this year.
>
> Sam

You've done more than anyone else for which I am very
appreciative.

Warmest regards,

Lee
 

----------

emails sent to Ann

Hello Ann:

You wrote:

:Is there really help for families facing the death of a young adult who needs blood to live?

Yes it is possible but you have an uphill battle. We will do what we can to assist you.

:Is your reform movement dissociated with the Watchtower Bible Society in Brooklyn, New York?

We are dissidents opposed to the official policy of the Watchtower Society on blood transfusions.

:My nephew lies waiting for an aorta repair and is in critical condition. The accident was 10 days aog. I am a united Methodist lay minister and found your web site. Please answer me here and at my office ann@stjames-umc.org. ASAP Ann Lowerre.

Please provide us with the following information and we will do what we can.

Full Name of your nephew:

Date of Birth:

Is he conscious?

Does he have a signed Watchtower Advance Directive?

Names and phone numbers of physicians involved:

Name and phone number of Hospital:

Your phone number:

Name of your nephew’s parents:

Their phone number:

You must understand that these are very complex situations. They develop quickly and numerous obstacles must be overcome. We cannot make any promises and even when blood products are administered – people still die. If your nephew makes a conscious choice to accept a blood product that is not presently permitted by the WTS, and his congregation elders learn of this, an announcement will likely be made to his congregation that he has made a choice to disassociate himself from Jehovah’s Witnesses. His JW friends and any JW family members not living under the same roof will shun him. It is a terrible choice he is confronted with. The WTS essentially holds a gun to his head while claiming he has a free choice. Additionally, it would likely be an incredible slap in the face of his JW parents should he make the choice to try and live. He is under great duress and the influence of carefully orchestrated mind control technique.

That said, it is possible that he will already have doubts about the WTS and its policies. His parents may have their own doubts and be open to a frank discussion regarding the WTS irrational policy on the use of blood products. It may be that one of the new oxygen carrying blood substitutes that the WTS permits (Hemopure or Polyheme) could be secured on an emergency basis for him. We can explore these things if there is time and willingness on his part or the part of his parents to look at some other options.

Please be assured of our best wishes.

Warmest regards,

Lee Elder

AJWRB
---
 
 

> I am so distraught over this, I don't even know who I am responding to.  I
> battled scripture toe to toe with my brother-in-law yesterday, Monday, and
> never raised my voice.

That probably is not going to help much. Your brother-in-law is much more
concerned about the what the WTS has to say than anything you can show
him in the Bible.
 

 I begged for Collin's life.  I mentioned your
> movement and he threw up his arm and told me not to speak of a "reform
> movement".  Only a miracle can save Collin and perhaps the miracle would
be
> for them to join your forces.  He told me you were a "bunch of hate
mongers"
> who had been thrown out of their religion, but you say you are an elder.
I
> don't understand.  Are you in good standing with New York?

I resigned my position as an elder because I could no longer conscientiously
support the policy. I am not disfellowshiped nor disassociated but if they
could
identify me they would certainly come after me for speaking against official
policy - that is simply not tolerated by the WTS.
 
 

>
> His name is Don Stephens and his phone number is 501-202-2000 at Baptist
> Health in Little Rock, AR.  Can you call him?  You are my only hope in
> saving Collin. They are in Family Room #1. I have been told that time has
> already run out. The wreck was 8/22. The special graft is there ready to
> use, but his blood count is too low. My faith is strong and I believe in
> miracles.  Prayers and blessings!  Ann Lowerre      Don would not allow me
> to pray.  That was wrong in my belief.  Why was I not allowed to pray?

Basically, they believe that you are being influenced by the Devil and that
your prayer would not be heard by God. It would take a great deal of
time for you to comprehend the JW mindset. That is what we have to
work around to reach them. It is very difficult but we can try. If the
father
or mother refuse to listen or if JW elders are there by the phone when
we call - we are pretty much sunk unless your nephew comes out
of his coma. The doctors can talk to him and try to ascertain his views
and wishes. Chances might be a little bit better if the doctor could read
some of the articles written by Dr. Muramoto and published in the Journal
of Medical Ethics and the British Medical Journal. These are all on the web
site and in  the  physicians section.

Perhaps your brother-in-law would read them as well since they are not
written by a Jehovah's Witness buy simply by a physician who has a very
good understanding of the issues. I suggest you print these articles out and
get them to the hospital as soon as possible.

Another possibility would be for "Mary" to try and speak with your nephews
mother. Mary lost her son in a similar situation and has a unique insight
about
what your sister faces. I am copying her with this email.

I will respond further to your other email.

Lee
 
 
 

>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Johnatajwrb@netscape.net [mailto:Johnatajwrb@netscape.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 8:22 AM
> To: "Lee Elder"; "DEAN SKAER"; ann@stjames-umc.org
> Cc: muramoto@aracnet.com; "Sam Believer"; waynbo@juno.com; "Doug Migden"
> Subject: Re: Needless death in Little Rock, Arkansas
>
>
> Dear Ann,
>
> Lee Elder of Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood
(AJWRB.org)
> provided me with your email address and a general description of your
> relative's circumstances. I regularly work with Lee Elder as a member of
> AJWRB.
>
> I am an active elder of Jehovah's Witnesses who rejects the Watchtower
Bible
> and Tract Society's blood policy as unscriptural and irrational. I am not
> the only elder who feels this way. There are letters made public on the
> Internet by an elder who has written the Society and told them his
feelings.
> He has told them that accepting medical transfusions of blood are not
> unscriptural. Here is a link to those letters if you want to read them.
>
>
http://watchtower.observer.org/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=WO&Date=20020123&C
> ategory=JWANDMEDICINE2&ArtNo=201220009&Ref=AR' URL-Frame='_blank
>
> (You might have to copy and paste this link into your browser's address
> window for it to work.)
>
> Excerpts:
>
>  From letter dated March 1, 2000:
>
> "I am not seeking to impose anything on anyone, indeed I try hard to avoid
> such, nor am I inclined to do so. At this point I am not sure I could
impose
> anything regarding medical use of blood components because I am unable to
do
> so, which is part of my problem. For example, if a local friend chose to
> accept white corpuscles to bolster their immune system then as an elder I
> would be expected to impose our stance, which prohibits acceptance of
white
> corpuscles. Since I cannot explain scripturally the distinctions of our
> stance I could not impose that stance--I would be forced to recuse myself
as
> incompetent to hear the case."
>
>  From letter dated March 1, 2000:
>
> "Like other brothers, I am able to tell our stance on medical use of blood
> and direct interested persons to where our publications address it.
> Afterward, as you say, each must decide for themselves, uncoerced,
according
> to their conscience. But, what I am interested in is having scriptural
> answers to critical aspects of our position. Such answers allow that I can
> teach--and that with conviction--rather than just tell. Teaching with
> conviction requires knowing and understanding the reasons for answers or
> explanations, in this case scriptural reasons for a scriptural stance. My
> difficulty is with explaining and teaching our published "scriptural"
stance
> with scriptures and sound reasoning, not informing persons what our stance
> is. (Compare The Watchtower of March 15, 1998 page 19, par. 4)
>
> "I fear now that my concerns and questions raised about our present stance
> have no scriptural answers. If they existed I feel you brothers would have
> already shared them with me. This is very disheartening. Nevertheless, I
> will do my level best in serving Jehovah and trust that you brothers will
> continue pondering issues raised toward resolution. In the meantime if
> issues such as those expressed are raised to me I will show persons where
> our publications address them. If pressed for scriptural answers to issues
> about which I have questions myself then I must honestly reply that I do
not
> know them. In some instances I may have to decline being used."
>
>  From enclosure of letter dated March 1, 2000:
>
> "However, the apostolic decree does not require abstaining from medical
> transfusions of blood as practiced today because such does not require any
> taking of life."
>
> -------- End of Excerpts--------
>
> Hopefully this information will prove helpful if the need arises to
> demonstrate the appointed officials (elders) among Jehovah's Witnesses do
> not all agree with the Watchtower Society's policy on blood and will not
go
> along with it.
>
> Let me know if there is some further information that I can assist with.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> John
>
>
> __________________________________________________________________
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--------

Hello Ann:

John forwarded a copy of this message to me and I see he has already
attempted to speak with the family and got
no where. I will try again myself but this does not look very promising and
your options are limited. At this point
you want to be sure that Collin's physicians are:

1. In contact with either the Watchtower Hospital Liaison Committee or
Hospital Information Services to exploit
every possible alternative and blood based therapy the WTS will permit. EPO,
hemoglobin solutions, cell salvage, hemodilution, etc. Make sure there is no
confusion about what can be used - this is very important as there are cases
where JWs have refused permitted procedures and blood products that could
have potentially saved the patients life.

2. Make sure that they physicians involved are prepared to do an emergency
intervention with Collin should he become conscious. This does not have to
be complicated and 25-50% of young JWs have opted to accept blood when there
were no alternatives and they were conscious and given the choice by their
physician.

Dr. Muramoto goes into some detail about how to do this but I will give you
just two questions that are frequently enough to get a JW patient and his
family questioning the policy:

1. Could you please tell which blood products the WTS permits a JW to accept
and which ones are not permitted?

(If you discount the membranes of the red cells, white cells and platelets,
they are allowing somewhere between
97 and 98% of the blood. However, the membrane is stroma (protein/enzyme)
and as a fraction it too would be
permitted.  So technically the WTS permits 100% of the blood in fractionated
form.)

Examples of permitted blood products are: albumin, clotting factors, serum,
fibrinogen and hemoglobin.

2. Could you please tell me or show me where in the Bible it explains which
blood products God permits you to take and which ones are forbidden?

There is no reasonable answer to question number 2. So at that point all one
need do is show the patient or JW family members how the WTS has repeatedly
changed its position on the use of organ transplant, vaccines and blood
products.
See: http://www.ajwrb.org/history/index.shtml
Finally, the patient needs to be assured of strict confidentiality.

There is not much more that can be done that I can think of. I hope your
nephew becomes conscious and that his physicians are prepared to do the kind
of intervention I describe above. I will try to contact them myself.

Best regards,

Lee

P.S. An outside shot would be to attempt a family intervention with someone
like Steven Hassan who has a very good understanding of cult mind control.
Here is his web site: http://www.freedomofmind.com/
 
 
 
 
 

----- Original Message -----
From: <Johnatajwrb@netscape.net>
To: ""Ann Lowerre"" <ann@stjames-umc.org>; """Lee Elder"""
<LeeElder@ajwrb.org>; """DEAN SKAER""" <daskaer@msn.com>
Cc: <muramoto@aracnet.com>; """Sam Believer""" <sambeliever@hotmail.com>;
<waynbo@juno.com>; """Doug Migden""" <Drmigden@aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 8:33 AM
Subject: RE: Needless death in Little Rock, Arkansas
 

> Dear Ann,
>
> Yes, I am an active elder in good standing with "New York." Of course, if
New York knew of my activity with Lee Elder's group, AJWRB, I would
immediately be disfellowshipped.
>
> I understand why your brother-in-law feels as he does. Until he, or any
other Witness, decides to objectively examine the Society's policy on blood
they will not even consider alternate views or even scholarly criticisms. I
was the same way myself, until it dawned on me that it is impossible to
defend what you have not yet examined objectively. I recommend that you
print out that elder's letters that I provided a link for and hand them to
your brother-in-law. Tell him these are letters you found online between an
elder and the Watchtower Society and have nothing to do with any reform
movement. Just hand them to him and walk away, from him. Let him decide
whether to consider them or not in private. Privately is the best place to
consider something like this. If you pressure him face-t--face his pride may
resist even taking a peek at these very powerful letters.
>
> I tried the number you provided. I am unsure to whom I was speaking, but
they hung up as soon as they suspected the call was of a nature to have them
reconsider their stance.
>
> Please accept my deepest concern for Collin's circumstances. Hopefully, by
some miracle, the doctors will find a way to help him nevertheless.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> John
>
>
> "Ann Lowerre" <ann@stjames-umc.org> wrote:
>
> >I am so distraught over this, I don't even know who I am responding to. I
> >battled scripture toe to toe with my brother-in-law yesterday, Monday,
and
> >never raised my voice. I begged for Collin's life. I mentioned your
> >movement and he threw up his arm and told me not to speak of a "reform
> >movement". Only a miracle can save Collin and perhaps the miracle would
be
> >for them to join your forces. He told me you were a "bunch of hate
mongers"
> >who had been thrown out of their religion, but you say you are an elder.
I
> >don't understand. Are you in good standing with New York?
> >
> >His name is Don Stephens and his phone number is 501-202-2000 at Baptist
> >Health in Little Rock, AR. Can you call him? You are my only hope in
> >saving Collin. They are in Family Room #1. I have been told that time has
> >already run out. The wreck was 8/22. The special graft is there ready to
> >use, but his blood count is too low. My faith is strong and I believe in
> >miracles. Prayers and blessings! Ann Lowerre Don would not allow me
> >to pray. That was wrong in my belief. Why was I not allowed to pray?
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Johnatajwrb@netscape.net [mailto:Johnatajwrb@netscape.net]
> >Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 8:22 AM
> >To: "Lee Elder"; "DEAN SKAER"; ann@stjames-umc.org
> >Cc: muramoto@aracnet.com; "Sam Believer"; waynbo@juno.com; "Doug Migden"
> >Subject: Re: Needless death in Little Rock, Arkansas
> >
> >
> >Dear Ann,
> >
> >Lee Elder of Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood
(AJWRB.org)
> >provided me with your email address and a general description of your
> >relative's circumstances. I regularly work with Lee Elder as a member of
> >AJWRB.
> >
> >I am an active elder of Jehovah's Witnesses who rejects the Watchtower
Bible
> >and Tract Society's blood policy as unscriptural and irrational. I am not
> >the only elder who feels this way. There are letters made public on the
> >Internet by an elder who has written the Society and told them his
feelings.
> >He has told them that accepting medical transfusions of blood are not
> >unscriptural. Here is a link to those letters if you want to read them.
> >
>
>http://watchtower.observer.org/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=WO&Date=20020123&
C
> >ategory=JWANDMEDICINE2&ArtNo=201220009&Ref=AR' URL-Frame='_blank
> >
> >(You might have to copy and paste this link into your browser's address
> >window for it to work.)
> >
> >Excerpts:
> >
> > From letter dated March 1, 2000:
> >
> >"I am not seeking to impose anything on anyone, indeed I try hard to
avoid
> >such, nor am I inclined to do so. At this point I am not sure I could
impose
> >anything regarding medical use of blood components because I am unable to
do
> >so, which is part of my problem. For example, if a local friend chose to
> >accept white corpuscles to bolster their immune system then as an elder I
> >would be expected to impose our stance, which prohibits acceptance of
white
> >corpuscles. Since I cannot explain scripturally the distinctions of our
> >stance I could not impose that stance--I would be forced to recuse myself
as
> >incompetent to hear the case."
> >
> > From letter dated March 1, 2000:
> >
> >"Like other brothers, I am able to tell our stance on medical use of
blood
> >and direct interested persons to where our publications address it.
> >Afterward, as you say, each must decide for themselves, uncoerced,
according
> >to their conscience. But, what I am interested in is having scriptural
> >answers to critical aspects of our position. Such answers allow that I
can
> >teach--and that with conviction--rather than just tell. Teaching with
> >conviction requires knowing and understanding the reasons for answers or
> >explanations, in this case scriptural reasons for a scriptural stance. My
> >difficulty is with explaining and teaching our published "scriptural"
stance
> >with scriptures and sound reasoning, not informing persons what our
stance
> >is. (Compare The Watchtower of March 15, 1998 page 19, par. 4)
> >
> >"I fear now that my concerns and questions raised about our present
stance
> >have no scriptural answers. If they existed I feel you brothers would
have
> >already shared them with me. This is very disheartening. Nevertheless, I
> >will do my level best in serving Jehovah and trust that you brothers will
> >continue pondering issues raised toward resolution. In the meantime if
> >issues such as those expressed are raised to me I will show persons where
> >our publications address them. If pressed for scriptural answers to
issues
> >about which I have questions myself then I must honestly reply that I do
not
> >know them. In some instances I may have to decline being used."
> >
> > From enclosure of letter dated March 1, 2000:
> >
> >"However, the apostolic decree does not require abstaining from medical
> >transfusions of blood as practiced today because such does not require
any
> >taking of life."
> >
> >-------- End of Excerpts--------
> >
> >Hopefully this information will prove helpful if the need arises to
> >demonstrate the appointed officials (elders) among Jehovah's Witnesses do
> >not all agree with the Watchtower Society's policy on blood and will not
go
> >along with it.
> >
> >Let me know if there is some further information that I can assist with.
> >
> >Sincerely,
> >
> >John
> >
> >
> >__________________________________________________________________
> >The NEW Netscape 7.0 browser is now available. Upgrade now!
> >http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp
> >
> >Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at
> >http://webmail.netscape.com/
> >
> >
> >---
> >Incoming mail is certified Virus Free.
> >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> >Version: 6.0.381 / Virus Database: 214 - Release Date: 8/2/2002
> >
> >---
> >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> >Version: 6.0.381 / Virus Database: 214 - Release Date: 8/2/2002
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> __________________________________________________________________
> The NEW Netscape 7.0 browser is now available. Upgrade now!
http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp
>
> Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at
 
 

-----
 
 

My time is limited today because I'm at work. If you have a fax number for
the doctor or email address that would be helpful.
A few other things:

1. Let the physcians know about our resources:
http://www.ajwrb.org/physicians/index.shtml

One article is specifically about interventions:

http://www.ajwrb.org/physicians/please.html

2. These articles might help the family:

http://www.ajwrb.org/basics/abstain.shtml

http://www.ajwrb.org/physicians/jme.shtml
 

Collin is fortunate to have you looking out for him. Usually we hear about
these cases only after
there is a death. We'll keep hoping for a miracle.

One thing I wished JW parents would remember is that about 2/3 of all
children raised as JW's
end up leaving the religion after they finish grownig up anyway. So the odds
favor his death being
for nothing. If he did take blood and survived, he could always come back
into the relgion after
6 months of shunning. Bad - but not nearly as bad as death.

Lee
 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ann Lowerre" <ann@stjames-umc.org>
To: "Lee Elder" <LeeElder@ajwrb.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 10:13 AM
Subject: RE: Needless death in Little Rock, Arkansas
 

> My source says there has been contact with New York. They are prepared to
do
> an emergency intervention. Thanks, please keep trying to help. I will try
> and get the articles to the hospital. Ann
>
> From: Lee Elder [mailto:LeeElder@ajwrb.org]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 11:49 AM
> To: Ann Lowerre
> Cc: johnatajwrb@netscape.net; muramoto@aracnet.com; silentlambs; Rosalie
> Hughes; Doug Migden; waynbo@juno.com; Sam Believer
> Subject: Re: Needless death in Little Rock, Arkansas
>
>
> Hello Ann:
>
> John forwarded a copy of this message to me and I see he has already
> attempted to speak with the family and got
> no where. I will try again myself but this does not look very promising
and
> your options are limited. At this point
> you want to be sure that Collin's physicians are:
>
> 1. In contact with either the Watchtower Hospital Liaison Committee or
> Hospital Information Services to exploit
> every possible alternative and blood based therapy the WTS will permit.
EPO,
> hemoglobin solutions, cell salvage, hemodilution, etc. Make sure there is
no
> confusion about what can be used - this is very important as there are
cases
> where JWs have refused permitted procedures and blood products that could
> have potentially saved the patients life.
>
> 2. Make sure that they physicians involved are prepared to do an emergency
> intervention with Collin should he become conscious. This does not have to
> be complicated and 25-50% of young JWs have opted to accept blood when
there
> were no alternatives and they were conscious and given the choice by their
> physician.
>
> Dr. Muramoto goes into some detail about how to do this but I will give
you
> just two questions that are frequently enough to get a JW patient and his
> family questioning the policy:
>
> 1. Could you please tell which blood products the WTS permits a JW to
accept
> and which ones are not permitted?
>
> (If you discount the membranes of the red cells, white cells and
platelets,
> they are allowing somewhere between
> 97 and 98% of the blood. However, the membrane is stroma (protein/enzyme)
> and as a fraction it too would be
> permitted.  So technically the WTS permits 100% of the blood in
fractionated
> form.)
>
> Examples of permitted blood products are: albumin, clotting factors,
serum,
> fibrinogen and hemoglobin.
>
> 2. Could you please tell me or show me where in the Bible it explains
which
> blood products God permits you to take and which ones are forbidden?
>
> There is no reasonable answer to question number 2. So at that point all
one
> need do is show the patient or JW family members how the WTS has
repeatedly
> changed its position on the use of organ transplant, vaccines and blood
> products.
> See: http://www.ajwrb.org/history/index.shtml
> Finally, the patient needs to be assured of strict confidentiality.
>
> There is not much more that can be done that I can think of. I hope your
> nephew becomes conscious and that his physicians are prepared to do the
kind
> of intervention I describe above. I will try to contact them myself.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Lee
>
> P.S. An outside shot would be to attempt a family intervention with
someone
> like Steven Hassan who has a very good understanding of cult mind control.
> Here is his web site: http://www.freedomofmind.com/
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Johnatajwrb@netscape.net>
> To: ""Ann Lowerre"" <ann@stjames-umc.org>; """Lee Elder"""
> <LeeElder@ajwrb.org>; """DEAN SKAER""" <daskaer@msn.com>
> Cc: <muramoto@aracnet.com>; """Sam Believer""" <sambeliever@hotmail.com>;
> <waynbo@juno.com>; """Doug Migden""" <Drmigden@aol.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 8:33 AM
> Subject: RE: Needless death in Little Rock, Arkansas
>
>
> > Dear Ann,
> >
> > Yes, I am an active elder in good standing with "New York." Of course,
if
> New York knew of my activity with Lee Elder's group, AJWRB, I would
> immediately be disfellowshipped.
> >
> > I understand why your brother-in-law feels as he does. Until he, or any
> other Witness, decides to objectively examine the Society's policy on
blood
> they will not even consider alternate views or even scholarly criticisms.
I
> was the same way myself, until it dawned on me that it is impossible to
> defend what you have not yet examined objectively. I recommend that you
> print out that elder's letters that I provided a link for and hand them to
> your brother-in-law. Tell him these are letters you found online between
an
> elder and the Watchtower Society and have nothing to do with any reform
> movement. Just hand them to him and walk away, from him. Let him decide
> whether to consider them or not in private. Privately is the best place to
> consider something like this. If you pressure him face-t--face his pride
may
> resist even taking a peek at these very powerful letters.
> >
> > I tried the number you provided. I am unsure to whom I was speaking, but
> they hung up as soon as they suspected the call was of a nature to have
them
> reconsider their stance.
> >
> > Please accept my deepest concern for Collin's circumstances. Hopefully,
by
> some miracle, the doctors will find a way to help him nevertheless.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > John
> >
> >
> > "Ann Lowerre" <ann@stjames-umc.org> wrote:
> >
> > >I am so distraught over this, I don't even know who I am responding to.
I
> > >battled scripture toe to toe with my brother-in-law yesterday, Monday,
> and
> > >never raised my voice. I begged for Collin's life. I mentioned your
> > >movement and he threw up his arm and told me not to speak of a "reform
> > >movement". Only a miracle can save Collin and perhaps the miracle would
> be
> > >for them to join your forces. He told me you were a "bunch of hate
> mongers"
> > >who had been thrown out of their religion, but you say you are an
elder.
> I
> > >don't understand. Are you in good standing with New York?
> > >
> > >His name is Don Stephens and his phone number is 501-202-2000 at
Baptist
> > >Health in Little Rock, AR. Can you call him? You are my only hope in
> > >saving Collin. They are in Family Room #1. I have been told that time
has
> > >already run out. The wreck was 8/22. The special graft is there ready
to
> > >use, but his blood count is too low. My faith is strong and I believe
in
> > >miracles. Prayers and blessings! Ann Lowerre Don would not allow me
> > >to pray. That was wrong in my belief. Why was I not allowed to pray?
> > >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: Johnatajwrb@netscape.net [mailto:Johnatajwrb@netscape.net]
> > >Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 8:22 AM
> > >To: "Lee Elder"; "DEAN SKAER"; ann@stjames-umc.org
> > >Cc: muramoto@aracnet.com; "Sam Believer"; waynbo@juno.com; "Doug
Migden"
> > >Subject: Re: Needless death in Little Rock, Arkansas
> > >
> > >
> > >Dear Ann,
> > >
> > >Lee Elder of Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood
> (AJWRB.org)
> > >provided me with your email address and a general description of your
> > >relative's circumstances. I regularly work with Lee Elder as a member
of
> > >AJWRB.
> > >
> > >I am an active elder of Jehovah's Witnesses who rejects the Watchtower
> Bible
> > >and Tract Society's blood policy as unscriptural and irrational. I am
not
> > >the only elder who feels this way. There are letters made public on the
> > >Internet by an elder who has written the Society and told them his
> feelings.
> > >He has told them that accepting medical transfusions of blood are not
> > >unscriptural. Here is a link to those letters if you want to read them.
> > >
> >
>
>http://watchtower.observer.org/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=WO&Date=20020123&
> C
> > >ategory=JWANDMEDICINE2&ArtNo=201220009&Ref=AR' URL-Frame='_blank
> > >
> > >(You might have to copy and paste this link into your browser's address
> > >window for it to work.)
> > >
> > >Excerpts:
> > >
> > > From letter dated March 1, 2000:
> > >
> > >"I am not seeking to impose anything on anyone, indeed I try hard to
> avoid
> > >such, nor am I inclined to do so. At this point I am not sure I could
> impose
> > >anything regarding medical use of blood components because I am unable
to
> do
> > >so, which is part of my problem. For example, if a local friend chose
to
> > >accept white corpuscles to bolster their immune system then as an elder
I
> > >would be expected to impose our stance, which prohibits acceptance of
> white
> > >corpuscles. Since I cannot explain scripturally the distinctions of our
> > >stance I could not impose that stance--I would be forced to recuse
myself
> as
> > >incompetent to hear the case."
> > >
> > > From letter dated March 1, 2000:
> > >
> > >"Like other brothers, I am able to tell our stance on medical use of
> blood
> > >and direct interested persons to where our publications address it.
> > >Afterward, as you say, each must decide for themselves, uncoerced,
> according
> > >to their conscience. But, what I am interested in is having scriptural
> > >answers to critical aspects of our position. Such answers allow that I
> can
> > >teach--and that with conviction--rather than just tell. Teaching with
> > >conviction requires knowing and understanding the reasons for answers
or
> > >explanations, in this case scriptural reasons for a scriptural stance.
My
> > >difficulty is with explaining and teaching our published "scriptural"
> stance
> > >with scriptures and sound reasoning, not informing persons what our
> stance
> > >is. (Compare The Watchtower of March 15, 1998 page 19, par. 4)
> > >
> > >"I fear now that my concerns and questions raised about our present
> stance
> > >have no scriptural answers. If they existed I feel you brothers would
> have
> > >already shared them with me. This is very disheartening. Nevertheless,
I
> > >will do my level best in serving Jehovah and trust that you brothers
will
> > >continue pondering issues raised toward resolution. In the meantime if
> > >issues such as those expressed are raised to me I will show persons
where
> > >our publications address them. If pressed for scriptural answers to
> issues
> > >about which I have questions myself then I must honestly reply that I
do
> not
> > >know them. In some instances I may have to decline being used."
> > >
> > > From enclosure of letter dated March 1, 2000:
> > >
> > >"However, the apostolic decree does not require abstaining from medical
> > >transfusions of blood as practiced today because such does not require
> any
> > >taking of life."
> > >
> > >-------- End of Excerpts--------
> > >
> > >Hopefully this information will prove helpful if the need arises to
> > >demonstrate the appointed officials (elders) among Jehovah's Witnesses
do
> > >not all agree with the Watchtower Society's policy on blood and will
not
> go
> > >along with it.
> > >
> > >Let me know if there is some further information that I can assist
with.
> > >
> > >Sincerely,
> > >
> > >John
> > >
> > >
> > >__________________________________________________________________
> > >The NEW Netscape 7.0 browser is now available. Upgrade now!
> > >http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp
> > >
> > >Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at
> > >http://webmail.netscape.com/
> > >
> > >
> > >---
> > >Incoming mail is certified Virus Free.
> > >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> > >Version: 6.0.381 / Virus Database: 214 - Release Date: 8/2/2002
> > >
> > >---
> > >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> > >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> > >Version: 6.0.381 / Virus Database: 214 - Release Date: 8/2/2002
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > __________________________________________________________________
> > The NEW Netscape 7.0 browser is now available. Upgrade now!
> http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp
> >
> > Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at
> http://webmail.netscape.com/
>
>
>
> ---
> Incoming mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.381 / Virus Database: 214 - Release Date: 8/2/2002
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.381 / Virus Database: 214 - Release Date: 8/2/2002
>
>
>
------

Dear Ann:

My heart goes out to you and to your nephew. Your anguish must be nearly unbearable.

I can not over emphasize the importance of the advice Lee gave to you regarding asking the doctors to talk privately with your nephew. Physicians have told me "off the record" that when they can talk privately with JW patients some of them will say "do what you must to save my life."

Peer pressure is enormous in the JW community, so what private thoughts an individual may have, he/she is often afraid to express when other JWs are present. If previous discussions about the blood issue have taken place in your nephews room while others are present there is a high probability that an honest discussion did not take place. Getting that private discussion held is no easy task. JWs, especially elders and Hospital Liaison Committee members are trained to not leave the JW patient alone. Their motive is to "protect" the JW from unwanted blood administration.

If you can reach his doctors, surgeons and/or anesthesiologists and ask for them to arrange a private meeting somehow there may be a chance that your nephew will consent to some form of help that the doctors deem essential. Many doctors are very willing to assist in this way. It would be helpful if you could remind the doctors that privacy is of the utmost necessity. His doctors may be in a position to offer to administer all blood products in the O.R. in such a way that the family never sees this administration take place.

Sincerely,

Sam Beli

PS I have worked with the AJWRB group for several years. As a life long JW, my life was saved when kind doctors administered blood products to me in the O.R. I consented to blood therapy when I could not make any sense out of the JW elders explanations of why so many blood fractions were OK – in fact, they said that all fractions from plasma were OK, but plasma itself was not OK. That is when it dawned on me that their policy was not Bible based and not from God.

--------

Hello Ann:

Here is where matters stand on our end. One of our members I can only
identify as John
has attempted to phone Don & Jayne. John is a dissident JW elder that is
working with
our group and disagrees with the WT policy. John is not sure who he spoke
with in the
waiting room - probably Don. In any event, they terminated the conversations
once they
understood why John was calling.

Another one of our members (Mary) phone and spoke with Don briefly. Mary was
trying
to reach Jayne but she was not there. Don said his son was doing a bit
better more stable.
Mary will try again to reach Jayne and if possible convince her to speak
with John and myself.
You may want to encourage Jayne to agree to this phone converation by
reassuring her
that we are both Jehovah's Witnesses in good standing and are not opposed to
the
organization but simply believe that some mistakes have been made with the
blood issue
in much the same manner that the organization previously banned vaccinations
and organ
transplants.

Try to help Jayne understand that sooner or later she is going to take a
very hard
look at any policy that claims the life of her son and it is in her best
interest to do that now
rather than later.

I am trying to reach the physicians involved at this time and will let you
know after I've
spoken with them.

Warmest regards,
 
 

Set up form???

Please provide us with the following information and we will do what we can.

Full Name of your nephew:
Date of Birth:
Is he conscious?
Does he have a signed Watchtower Advance Directive?
Names and phone numbers of physicians involved:
Name and phone number of Hospital:
Your phone number:
Name of your nephew’s parents:
Their phone number:
 

Please be assured of our best wishes.
 
 
 

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