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| This is the inaugural edition of the AJWRB
newsletter. Each quarter we'll bring you up to date with the
latest developments concerning the blood issue as well as keep you
informed about how this issue is impacting the lives of Jehovah's
Witnesses, their families and those who provide care for them. Policy Developments The Watchtower Society now has clips of its videos on blood available online. If you have not seen these presentations, you may view them at their web site. The videos are edited so that the viewer might be left with the impression that blood conservation medicine is compatible with Watchtower policy. This is not the case, since blood conservation medicine has the safety net of blood transfusion when medically necessary and in the absence of viable alternative strategies. These videos make reference to patients who "choose to avoid blood transfusions". Such wording leaves the viewer with the impression that the Jehovah's Witness patient is making a voluntary choice to avoid blood. In fact, the Jehovah's Witness patient does not have a free choice in the matter. Additionally, the use of the word "avoid" is disingenuous since it also implies the existence of some latitude in the matter. While advances continue to be made in bloodless medicine. It seems improbable that these cutting edge technologies will benefit any of the millions of Jehovah's Witnesses in developing lands for many decades to come. In the video, "Transfusion - Alternative Strategies - Simple, Safe, Effective", the Watchtower moderator makes repeated use of the expression non-allogeneic transfusion. You may recall that in 2002 the Watchtower printed the pocket sized advance directive using this new expression but then quickly ordered the cards destroyed before most could be distributed. The card is presented here for those who may have not seen it.  We have not seen the card for 2003 and can only speculate about the brief appearance of this expression in the 2002 version. Our belief is that since the Watchtower Society continues to make use of the expression in the video, they maybe trying to build a foundation for eventually permitting autologous blood transfusions which would involve much longer periods of storage than presently permitted in procedures like cell salvage and hemodilution. The same video touts the results of a Canadian study which indicated a lower mortality rate was associated with a restrictive blood transfusion policy as opposed to a liberal one. The study did not, however, evaluate the results of a policy that eliminates the use of blood transfusions such as is the case with respects to the Watchtower's present requirement that all Jehovah's Witnesses reject even medically necessary transfusions of whole blood, red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma (all fractions of these components are permitted). While such references offer support for blood conservation medicine which include the safety net of life saving blood transfusions when medically necessary, they do not support the medical and scientific viability of the Watchtower's irrational policy on blood. While some Watchtower officials would like the medical community, Jehovah's Witnesses and the public at large to conclude that blood conservation medicine is the equivalent of "Transfusion - Alternative - Strategies", nothing could be further from the case. A video presentation regarding how these alternative strategies sometimes work out can be viewed at the AJWRB website. It is entitled, "Trauma, Life in the E.R.". One of the interesting things about this presentation is that it demonstrates that some older Jehovah's Witnesses reject the Watchtower's current policies which have effectively watered down its once clear position into meaningless rhetoric. Many of them are simply in disbelief at what has happened over the years. These changes have been carefully documented by AJWRB and are a strong indication of the Watchtower leaders ultimate intent to abandon the policy altogether. We recently received a report from one Jehovah's Witness elder serving as an HLC (Hospital Liaison Committee member) who informed us of a discussion that he had with a Watchtower official in H.I.S. (Hospital Information Services) wherein the official admitted that the policy was wrong and needed to change. While we welcome the acknowledgment, even if from an anonymous source. It certainly makes one wonder how such officials can stand by with full knowledge that many members are steadfastly supporting a policy that may get them or their children killed. It is very disturbing for those of us with family members and friends who are actively associated with the organization. Medicine & Science We have previously reported on the natural movement of some blood products across the placental barrier. The Watchtower has never attempted an explanation regarding why God would design a process that supposedly violates his own laws. Even more interesting is the fact that identical twins (monochorionic) sharing vascular connections that unite the blood systems of both fetuses through a shared placenta experience a 9 month long blood transfusion. This not a disease or defect but rather a normal condition. Warren Lusk has written on this subject, and it is a fascinating read. News The following links are to related news stories: Irreconcilable Beliefs Shattered Family Jehovah's Witness Wins New Trial in Blood Transfusion Case Hospital Sues to Force Tot's Surgery It's Enough to Make Your Blood Run Cold Blood Recipients May be Barred from Donating Editorial Indefatigable by Lee Elder It is clear in my mind that no single individual has done more to assist AJWRB and the millions of individuals subject to the Watchtower's irrational policies on blood that our medical advisor, Dr. Osamum Muramoto. "Sam" has been with us from nearly the beginning of our efforts back in 1997, providing invaluable insight and opening doors for us. I shudder to think about how many hours he took away from his practice and family to work on various articles, projects, and special requests. He has been a generous contributor of both time and money. Dr. Gillon aptly made reference to Sam as the "indefatigable" Dr. Muramoto. It is difficult to assess the long term effects of the work we have started and how much more time will be required before the Watchtower Society can maneuver itself out of its present difficulties. There is work that remains to be done, but we have cast large stones into the pond that will make large ripples for some time to come. I am confident that eventually we will see an end to the present policies that have brought so much needless suffering and death to thousands of men, women and children. It would be nice if history acknowledges the enormous contribution this soft spoken man has made toward reducing the suffering of so many. Thank you Sam - you are the best. Hemoglobin Solutions It seems probable that hemoglobin solutions will eventually solve a major part of the Watchtower's dilemma. The policy shift in 2000 clearly permits their use and it is only a matter of time before these substances become available in some lands. We will keep you up to date with developments as they occur. Memphis Hospital to Try Out Blood Substitute This article highlights the need to educate the media, the medical community and most importantly - Jehovah's Witnesses - that Watchtower policy now permits them to use a blood product like PolyHeme. Experiences My 84 year old Jehovah's Witness mom is very ill. After hip surgery she has become anemic and has low blood count. I am saddened that the JW policy can lead to her eventual demise. Your web site is a welcomed breather, very educational and informative. Thank you very much. Aurora M. Ng I live in New York. My sister is a California lesbian. Her only biological daughter is a Witness. When my sister was seriously injured in a car crash, her partner of 10 years was not allowed to sign the hospital forms permitting her treatment because she was "not a relative." Instead, her daughter told them "no blood." There was a big fuss over this, and finally the hospital called me. I authorized the use of blood, had the forms faxed to me, signed them and faxed them back. My sister lived and is happy today. 15 minutes after I faxed the forms, two JW's came to my office and started lecturing me on how I had "condemned" my sister. Who is a lesbian! I'm a non-JW who has a very dear friend that is married to a JW. This morning my friend called me. During the course of our conversation, the topic of blood transfusions was raised. I asked him if his JW wife still carried her blood card, and he said yes. I then asked him if he knew what she would do should she ever be in a position of having to authorize a transfusion for him. He said he didn't know. That frightened me. I have been reading about the official policy the WTS has on blood transfusions and to say that I find it confusing would be putting it mildly. Some sources say that it is a "matter of conscience", while others say that it's still forbidden and a disfellowshipping offense. I've also read that some "components" of blood are acceptable while others aren't. What I haven't been able to locate anywhere is what obligation a JW spouse has to deny a transfusion authorization for a non-JW spouse. Are they required to do that? Can they do that? I know of at least one instance where a JW wife ordered that her non-JW husband not receive a blood transfusion after he was critically injured in an auto accident, and he died. I worry that something like this could happen to my friend. Can it? Thanks for any info. Reform One of our members has begun a translation of the AJWRB web site into Czechoslovakian. This is a very large project but an important one. Kudos to Martin Lukas - we appreciate your efforts. AJWRB and its members are providing educational materials in more than a dozen different languages. We hope to renew our presence at major medical conventions in the U.S. in the near future as funds become available. There should be significant interest when hemoglobin solutions reach the market and there will be a critical need to educate the medical community about the potential for treating Jehovah's Witnesses with these products. We anticipate a very cautious approach on the part of the Watchtower Society. Mail Bag I am a physician
practicing in a pediatric intensive care unit. After reading your
material, we are planning a discussion among the ICU staff, ethics
staff and hospital lawyers to attempt to develop a better approach to
caring for children in Jehovah's Witness families.
David Jardine
Crisis and
InterventionDear Lee Elder, I first wrote to
you back in July. You may recall my letters of distraught.
Since then I had been communicating with Wayne Rogers.
I've not heard from him lately, I hope he's all right. Please
give him my greetings if you hear from him.
Because I
initiated communication with you at the beginning of my distress, I
thought it only proper that I tell you what has become of our
situation as you would not have your web site if you didn't care for
others. Yes, keeping my family intact was the advice you gave me that
kept ringing in my ears as I carefully planned how to impart to my
family the reality of the Watchtower Org. It has not only been an
emotionally charged 6 months but a fearful one at that. For a while I
thought I was going to lose my daughter and my new, and first
grandchild. My words had to be so carefully chosen at all times, as she
was ready to throw me out of her house on a
few occasions!! I prayed fervently through the whole
ordeal. My husband finally came around-thank God,and we read Ray
Franz's books together. Well, I believe my family and I are over the
worst. To make a long story brief, some of the carefully dropped "seeds
of truth" began to take root where my daughter and her
husband were asking us questions. Now I'm helping her go
through her grief over the organization. They've both decided not
to attend meetings any longer and have told the elders exactly what
they feel. If they decide to pull us in for a hearing we will
disassociate ourselves. We have had many family discussions over
the blood issue and Franz's books. My daughter actually got her own
copy! We are feeling so relieved now, and very excited about our
future. Of course there are some anxieties along with it, but we don't
want to rush into anything right now. I know it will take time to
see where our Christianity will take us. If you have any leads,
considering the stage that we are in, I'd like to hear from
you. Helping others has always been important to us.
Thank you very
much for having the courage to put up your website. You must know that
if it helped us it has helped many more.
Chris Note: AJWRB does not advise individuals to leave the WTS or to stay. For those who decide to leave, we do suggest that you be cautious about associating with other "high control" religious organizations. Steven Hassan's excellent website www.freedomofmind.com has a resource center where you can research other groups for potential danger. I found this site on the internet. I am
currently studying the religion because my boyfriend refuses to get
married unless I convert. I think that there are a lot of good
teachings however I object to being made loyal to an organization
instead of to Jehovah. I am an attorney-at-law with a master's
degree in international business. If I can help in any way I
would like to. I always had very strong research skills and also
developing different lines of arguments, designing courses etc.
So things like research, editing etc. would be a way I can
contribute. I am very very cheered by your existence and the
information you provide. I think there are some good teachings in
the religion so reform is better than throwing the baby out with the
bath water. I have many concerns with 'due process' in the
treatment of persons who are disfellowshipped and I was thinking of
doing independent research on whether cases exist where persons who
were disfellowshipped attempted court action. Anyway let me
know. If it were not for this organization I don't think I could
go through with it. You give me hope.
Orchid
You are not
Jehovah's witnesses. You are people who HATE Jehovah and attempt to
destroy his organized body on earth.
May all the
curses of God be on you.
May the Almighty
destroy you.
I hate you from
all my heart.
Yahuservant I just wanted to say that I found your web site very
informative and a great help in aiding me to understand the real reason
behind not accepting blood transfusions. Sites like yours are important
in keep Witnesses informed of the facts.
I am an ex-Jehovah's Witness myself, I left the
religion simply because there were to many questions that were
left unanswered. But I will always remember the wonderful Witnesses
that I had the privilege to meet and the good teachings of
the bible. I wish you well and I sincerely hope that you can make
a difference with your cause. Like it says on your web site,
too many good people have died already.
Anonymous.
Several times a year we are contacted by someone who has a Jehovah's Witness family member who is in the midst of a medical crisis and requires a blood transfusion. We typically do what we can to assist in these situations by offering some suggestions about what can be said or done. AJWRB has literature that can be used effectively in these situations as well. The best results have been obtained when physicians and medical personnel have employed the suggestions offered by Dr. Osamu Muramoto, M.D. regarding non-interventional paternalism. Alternatively, give consideration to speaking with your JW friends and family members before a crisis arises but be prepared for an unfavorable reaction. 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.
"Never doubt that a small committed
group of citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margret Mead |
Please support our educational work, send your contribution to:
AJWRB
P.O. Box 190089
Boise, ID 83719-0089 U.S.A.