AJWRB Newsletter

Hi, I am studying with Jehovah's Witnesses, I used to be one years and years ago. I am now an RN. I recently read the 6/15/04 article on blood and have also visited your website. You have a chart which actually adds to the chart in the 6/15/04 Watchtower article. In yours, you list hemoglobin substitutes as acceptable to JW's. I don't see that in the Watchtower article and got on the Watchtower and Bible Tract Society website and did not see any such substitutes listed under alternatives. Your article stating they accepted hemoglobin substitutes interested me because hemoglobin is a major component of the red blood cell and actually allows the red blood cell to carry its oxygen. Without it, blood is no longer life-giving. Where did you get your information on hemoglobin-based blood substitutes being acceptable to Jehovah's Witnesses?

I am also organizing a protest rally in Toronto in front of the Ontario Legislature Building, Friday, June 24th from 12:00 noon until about 3:00 pm. The issues will be about the many Jehovah Witnesses dying each day regarding the Watchtower Society's prohibition on blood transfusions and on the protecting of pedophiles in the organization.

I am also having a protest rally in Georgetown, Ontario, Saturday, June 25th at the Watch- tower Society HQ from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. I do not expect people to support both. The protest at the Ontario Legislature is the more important one. It should get national, if not world news coverage.

P.S. - I will be conducting a Memorial for those victims who died refusing blood transfusions. Anyone who has lost a loved one due to the WTS prohibition on blood can send me a photo with a write up of what happened, name, date, etc. for the memorial. It would be best if they could come in person and talk to the media.

The father of a critically ill baby girl, who took her away from the Siliguri Sadar Hospital to avoid a blood transfusion as it was against his faith was persuaded by the authorities that it was necessary to save the child's life.

The two and a half years old baby girl, Manorama Lakra, suffering from acute anemia diarrhea, was admitted to the Sadar Hospital on October seven, Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Rajiv Mishra said today.

The baby's father, Sanjay Lakra, a member of Jehovah's Witness, refused when doctors told him that she needed a blood transfusion to save her life saying it was against his faith. He then ran away with his baby girl, Mishra said.

The Jehovah's Witness is a Christian sect that denies many traditional Christian doctrines and preaches the Second Coming.

Sanjay, a resident of Labour Bustee of the Bagdogra Tea Garden, and his daughter were traced by the authorities that same evening and persuaded to return to the hospital, Mishra said, where Manorama was given a transfusion.

She was given a second blood transfusion today, Dr A K Saha, under whom she was admitted said, adding that the baby girl's condition had improved.

The blood was provided by the North Bengal Voluntary Blood Donors Forum, said its Secretary Pijush Kanti Ray who together with the police superintendent were instrumental in convincing the father and bringing the baby back to the hospital. PTI

Thoughts expressed are those of the individual and may not reflect the views of all members or AJWRB.

Two JW women, fleshy sisters, by the name of Louise and Bessie had found out they had developed leukemia after some years of suffering another blood disorder called hemochromatosis. Louise and Bessie by this time were both in their early 80’s when they found this out - they both had leukemia independently.

Treatment that could prolong their lives would require the use of blood transfusions which they both refused because they were devoted Jehovah’s Witnesses. Doctors felt they could probably have lived quite a long time with other added treatments combined with the blood transfusion treatments. Bessie and Louise refused because of their firm belief in the Watchtower’s policy on blood. To accept blood would cause them to face disfellowshipping from the congregation which they could not bear - not even to save their lives. The doctors told them it would hasten their death without blood transfusions. The doctor’s hands were tied.

The two sisters were originally from Canada and had lived in the Asheboro, North Carolina area for many years serving faithfully all their lives. They had been second generation JW’s, and proud of it. Bessie had been a pioneer for nearly 30 plus years and finally married late in her life. Louise had served faithfully with her JW husband all her life. Both sisters had even resisted having children because of believing the end was always near. Now those lives were about to end due to a WTS policy.

Louise died first in 1999 and Bessie just months later in 2000. The congregation I was in at the time cheered them on praising them for being so brave refusing blood transfusions. They lived less than 6 months after developing leukemia. These two sisters died believing they were giving honor to the God they worshiped and the religious organization that promised them everlasting life because of their willingness to refuse blood transfusions.

From a Young Man named Matt Schell of Rio Rancho, New Mexico:

In 1969 I was born to parents whom were witnesses for about 4-5 years.

When I was 14, almost 15 I developed a duodenal ulcer that positioned itself right on the main artery in the GI tract. So one morning I forgot to flush the toilet (in a lot of pain and lightheaded), and my mom discovered this enormous amount of blood I’d lost. She immediately took me to the doctor. At the doctor’s office, he withdrew some blood while I passed out 2 more times, and he sent me home. Much later I found out our Doctor sent me home so he could buy some time to get an emergency court order to force a transfusion because of my parents being Jehovah’s Witnesses. He knew it would take a blood transfusion to save my life. Now my mother had been a nurses aide for several years, and knew something was wrong, so she was very worried.

This is where I believe Jehovah stepped in. After we got home, and I was lying on the couch looking at my hands and my fingernails realizing they were totally white. My mother had forgotten to pay the doctor, so she had a JW neighbor keep an eye on me while she rushed back to pay the doctor. We had just moved into this house, so the doctor did not have our new address or phone number. He had planned on calling an ambulance as soon as he got the court order which was unknown to us. Had my mother not returned immediately to pay the bill & update our address, the ambulance would have never found me.

After the surgery I had several complications and ended up spending about 3 months in the hospital. I started to question my decision the day another doctor had to feed me intravenously for 3 weeks, since I couldn't keep any food down. I became incredibly scared, and confused about the forced blood transfusion the hospital had given me. I thought for sure Jehovah was going to kill me now, or at least was punishing me with these complications. The elders told me not to worry about that because it was the fact of my stand of refusing the blood transfusion, not that I received it, that Jehovah was looking at. My parents knew the truth and never sued the hospital, because the blood transfusion in truth had saved my life. The congregation continued to believe my complications were a result of forced blood transfusions, rather than the truth of my true medical problems.

I never thought about it after I became well. Then a couple of years ago I realized it was that torturous decision that was causing some post-traumatic stress symptoms, and I sought therapy for 2 years. I finally took a look at what the Bible really said about blood. I studied with a brother for 6 months, and I told him, I would never be able to accept the societies teaching on transfusions. So I was informed I would never be allowed to be a publisher, nor be baptized. There were a few other things I questioned, but the main issue was blood.

To disfellowship someone on this issue is not godly. I believe that refusing to baptize someone because of this issue is a form of pharmaceutical judgment, and borders on blaspheming God. It hurts that I am now considered an apostate all because of the blood issue. But I do know one thing, Jehovah and Jesus still love me no matter what I think, or believe. I believe Jehovah allowed me to receive a transfusion. Was it because of my faith in him, I don't know? That is still confusing to me even now.

But thank you for letting me tell my story, and I hope this will help someone decide for themselves if the Watchtower Bible Tract Society teachings on blood transfusions are really from Jehovah, or from men.

Matt

Thanks you for your informative website. I am a former JW who received four blood transfusions in February 2004. I had a serious hemorrhage, with slim chance of survival, after the birth of my fifth baby. My hemoglobin fell below 50 and I received packed red blood cells. Through this process I have learned a lot, which I think a lot of JW’s are not aware of. The much touted 'blood expanders' that are allowed are often held up as being all that is needed in place of blood transfusions. This is most certainly not the case. In fact, what these blood expanders do is to dilute the blood that is left after a serious blood loss. This diluting makes the hemoglobin drop all the lower, as happened to me, so the red blood cells are needed all the more. Blood expanders were needed regardless of the receipt or non-receipt of blood so avoiding them would not have avoided the need to blood products. Simply put, blood expanders are not an answer.

I have five beautiful children and a loving husband who need their mother. I would not have been prepared to die for a teaching that is based on two scriptures that pertain to the EATING of blood. I can't imagine that God would give me these children and then not want me to do all I could to be there for them.

I'm sure a lot of JW’s would also be disappointed to know that I have been tested for all the diseases and found free of any. They like to scare you with their exaggerated stories of disease associated with blood. The risk is very low in the first place when it comes to blood transfusions thanks to modern science.

Watchtower Leaders Caught in Deception

I have recently withdrawn my DPA ( the WTS version) from my medical file because I cannot agree with their position on blood transfusions. I would, though, like to have one that can give me the choices such as "end of life" and other advice's concerning the cautions on the use of blood products. Would you be able to advise me is there such a DPA that one can obtain? I
know on the AJWRB there is a proposed one but not in it's final form.

If you are in the United States, check with your "Secretary of State" to see if they provide a "living will" and/or "Durable Power of Attorney - Medical". You will need to add any provisions you believe are necessary concerning the use of blood or blood products.

Despite the fact that my wife and I have separated ourselves from the organization due to conscience, we do receive occasional news from those in our former hall. Recently, we got news that an elder there was diagnosed with a disorder that typically requires blood transfusions as treatment. With the help of AJWRB website I was able to clearly (in spite of not staying in touch or reading the magazines at all anymore) discuss with his daughter the options of use of hemoglobin products now allowed by the society. I have no idea if they will pursue this direction, but wanted to express appreciation that the info on the site is so well detailed and accurate that it allowed me to be of some assistance.

Thank you for your diligent efforts here. May God bless you and the staff at AJWRB.

Annonymous

My name is Jose L. Ortiz, Sr. and it is Ok if the entire human race knows about what I am writing. So, you have my permission to place my sister's name Mirta Soto Lebron in your list of known human sacrifices by Jehovah's Witnesses….My Sister, who was a Jehovah's Witness for about 25 years, refused a blood transfusion and died November 16, 2004. I am a former Jehovah's Witness myself and I know the basic false doctrine on the issue of blood. However, in the case of my sister, many details about the way the Witnesses handled or mishandled her so called "refusal" are highly questionable.

In my estimation, the Witnesses have fouled up this case extremely negligently and even daringly. It would take much time to explain this case and frankly I don't know how much good it would do, except for informational purposes. Therefore, I am limiting this email to only general information and a request. Since your organization seems to deal with these issues more widely, I would like to inquire on whether or not you are affiliated with experienced trial Lawyers relating to Jehovah's Witnesses deaths due to blood issues. If not, do you know of any lawyers experienced with such cases? I believe our case is extremely unique and worthy of a good legal look. Thanking you I will await your response.

I am an elder…last week the circuit overseer demonstrated to the body of elders that someone whose blood is taken by the cell saver can be stored outside the body, taken into another room of the hospital and then be radiated in case of cancer. Here is the explanation that he offered: “You can see it as if you have cut off your finger and go to the surgeon to fit it again on your hand. You see it as a part of you”. What did the Germans say, “wash my fur but don’t wet my skin”?

Anonymous

I know first hand the devastation caused by the watchtower society's stand on blood. My aunt refused a blood transfusion several years ago and laid in a coma for 3 years before dying. I am writing to you to let you know that I would like to get involved in this issue here in my own town. I would personally like to visit the local hospitals and speak with the E.R doctors about the JW stance on blood transfusions. I am willing to give of my time for this cause, and
willing to help people going through these emotionally draining circumstances.

See a discussion of what you can do in our section on Reform.

    I am a Jehovah's Witness looking to make an educated decision on my bloodless medicine directives. I have found your site most informative. I would also like to see more reforms. I am not an elder, but I am in good standing.
    Please don't be bitter with our founding elders…things were different back then and the WTS is now ready to accept modern advances. Now is not the time to recall lost lives, or keep an, "I told you so attitude."
    Our congregation has recently had a visit from a Liaison committee member from Bethel. He told us of many JW's now with free conscious are using minor blood fractions. He gave ne example of a young child having a liver transplant, in a bloodless surgery. Some other examples of witnesses having transfusions of their own blood that had been removed, treated, and returned in a short time, so as to keep a circulation going. This member also made us aware of a modern technology to omit the outer membrane of a blood cell and harvest the inner properties to form a minor fraction that could be taken by one who felt that it would not offend our God of love.
    I wish our society would compromise the issue of storing our own blood to use on ourselves. It seems like the next easiest issue to reform. Perhaps they are afraid of changes coming too quickly.
    If I were on your team, I would have the Liaison member read from the bible, Romans 13:1 and 2 where it says that we should be in subjection to the authorities of this system, Judges, educated scholars, doctors of medicine such as yourselves.
    Look at Mathew 23:1-3. It tells of how the religious leaders of that day put an unnecessary burden on the people, by adding to the limits of the law. Look at Mathew 23:23 It says, "you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law namely justice and MERCY..." I hope this message will help you. Remember, "attitude is everything."

Annonymous

Dear Brothers,

We wanted to call your attention to a new Jehovah's Witnesses reform site. Like your own project, it is designed to encourage change in the some of the organization's policies. Please check it out. We hope some of you would appreciate it.

Yours truly,

www.jwreform.org

I want to thank you and the rest on AJWRB for you past and current work on this blood topic. I currently always ask JWs how they can accept a blood fraction such as hemoglobin-based products when they are made out of large amounts of stored blood. I get 2 reactions, one they agree with me that it is confusing and they can't accept the product or get angry and say that the WTS says it is all right so they are going to accept it.

I have changed all my medical instructions so that I will accept all blood products if necessary and I now donate my own blood, popular universal donor that I am.

Thanks, Blondi