Qualitative Insight: The Role of the Hospital Liaison Committee

To fully comprehend the clinical realities of the Jehovah’s Witness blood prohibition, medical professionals must understand the institutional environment surrounding the patient. The following account is provided by a former Chairman of a Hospital Liaison Committee (HLC). This narrative serves as a vital qualitative case study, illustrating the systemic pressures, informational deficiencies, and institutional enforcement mechanisms that can effectively compromise genuine informed consent at the bedside. This article borrows from chapter seven of “Acquiring Freedom From Fundamentalist Religious Thinking” written by Dieter Parczany (under his pen name Peter Porjohn). The author is a member of the leadership team of AJWRB.

Dieter Parczany – Former JW HLC Chairman

It is not easy for me to write my story, but it is very important for two reasons. First, because it must be demonstrated that under religious influence, a victim can become a person guilty of harming others. Secondly, I want to remain honest in relating my story, and I do not write this for personal justification or to accuse others of all the damage done. I am not only a victim but, in turn, blameworthy myself for harming others. It is true, I was unduly influenced, but nobody forced me to become a Jehovah’s Witness. This is why I also have to acknowledge my own guilt and admit it openly.

Of course, I feel victimized by damaging religious influence. My thinking and my life had been dictated and manipulated by a religion that claims to be God’s only organization on earth. This was possible because I was willing to believe it. Being convinced I was “in the truth”, and presumptuous enough to know what God’s will was, I also became guilty of causing damage to others. Yes, others became victims because of me. I can not compensate for most of the damage I have done, and I am embarrassed about things I thought, said, and did. It is still saddening and very hurtful for me to think about some of the consequences of my actions.

The Clinical Consequences: The Death of My Son

Manuel Parczany

This is probably the most difficult part of my confession. When my son Manuel was six years old, he became ill. He suffered from a T-cell Non-Hodgkin-Lymphoma. This is a systemic cancer that can affect the whole body, brain, and bone marrow. Initially, he underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment to the head. For half a year, he received this treatment while in the pediatric cancer station of a university clinic, with either his mother or me always by his side. After this treatment, he continued to receive chemotherapy for another one and a half years as an outpatient. When he was eight years old, he suffered a relapse and died in our home six weeks later. Qualified personnel from the pediatric cancer clinic were available for him and us throughout the duration of his illness.

At this time, small children with Non-Hodgkin-Lymphoma had a 75% chance of survival. My son’s chance of survival was less, as he did not respond well to the beginning of the therapy. As Jehovah’s Witnesses, we refused the transfusion of so-called “primary blood components.” This is why he did not receive the full dosage of cytostatic drugs (substances used in chemotherapy). One side effect of the medication is that thrombocytes (platelets) drop to a life-threatening level. Because we refused the transfusion of thrombocytes, the dosage of medication and the amount of radiation had to be lowered as well.

When a relapse occurs, a bone marrow or stem cell transplantation is usually considered. While Jehovah’s Witnesses do allow bone marrow transplantation, this procedure was out of the question, as the church would not agree to the transfusion of erythrocytes (red blood cells used for the transportation of oxygen). After bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, the body cannot produce its own blood for a certain period of time (at that time about ten days). This is why a transfusion of erythrocytes becomes necessary. But taking erythrocytes is not permitted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Hence, there is a contradiction, one against all logical reasoning, because the bone marrow is practically “the factory” of blood. Produced stem cells in the bone marrow are much more similar in consistency to full blood cells than erythrocytes, which appear everywhere in the body, like, for example, in urine.

Manuel Parczany in Hospital

Nobody knows whether our son Manuel would have survived taking full advantage of all the medical options. Shamefully, I have to admit that as parents, it was more important to make sure that our son would not receive a transfusion of principal blood particles than it was to accept all possible medical treatment for a full 75% chance of victory over cancer. I carry this thought and guilt in my heart always. I believed that obeying a divine law as interpreted by “Jehovah’s organization” was more important than optimal treatment of my little son. I was convinced that we would get him back in the resurrection and that no permanent damage could be done by his death. I loved my son with the whole heart of a father, and I would have done anything for his happiness, except violate this “divine law” interpreted by men. My tears are falling as I write this, and words cannot fully express what I am feeling.

Being the chairman of a “Hospital Liaison Committee.”

By reason of falsely interpreted Bible scriptures, Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse the transfusion of the following blood components: erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes, and plasma. However, it is permitted to receive all fractions of those blood particles, i.e., hemoglobin, crosupernatant, coagulation factors, albumin, etc. Also permitted are stem cell, bone marrow, organ transplantation, and whole blood if donated by the individual before a planned surgery. The use of certain surgical methods, such as a “cell saver,” which collects blood and returns it through closed systems in the body, is also allowed. Nonetheless, all these details and rules are always subject to change. Today somethings are permitted that yesterday would cause someone to be disassociated. (mandated shunning).

Within the Witness Organization exists a worldwide hospital information service located in the headquarters in the USA, and each of the Branch Offices in different countries. Additionally, there are hospital liaison committees that try to locate doctors sympathetic to the needs of Jehovah’s Witnesses patients, and hospitals that are willing to respect the decisions of these medical professionals in regard to these patients. Members of these hospital liaison committees are called to give counsel, recommendations, and information. They are also called upon to act as intermediaries between medical personnel, lawyers, judges, and individual Jehovah’s Witnesses.

However, people continue to have health complications or even die, because they decide in favor of the currently accepted knowledge and rules published by a few non-medical individuals who happen to be members of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Gene Smalley, a senior member of the writing staff and helper of the Governing Body in the headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, once told me: “We are submitting problems and suggestions to the Governing Body for a solution or change of rules. Until the majority finally understands, agrees, and is willing to vote for change, sometimes this can take years.” In the meantime, people suffer and die.

Epilogue

As chairman of a hospital liaison committee, I accumulated much guilt in cooperating and supporting such a preposterous system. Regretfully, as a representative of this religious organization, I defended the official doctrines with all their Pharisaical regulations regarding blood transfusions. I regret that this affected the lives and well-being of many people.

While enjoying an evening at the theater, an “elder” of my former religion recognized me during intermission and approached. He said that many would be happy if I returned to the organization. I expressed my appreciation for his words, which showed his sympathy for me. I explained that returning would be a “step backwards” in my life since, in the meantime, I have been able to prove biblically that “the truth” is not true. He answered, “You may know more than I do, but I know it for sure, I feel it in my heart that we do have the truth.” I, too, know this feeling, but it is false, and it does not stand up to close examination. One pays a high price in life for this feeling, and I am not willing to pay it any longer.

My spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being has become a touchstone for my thoughts and actions. I respect the value of each human being, either as individuals or organized in groups; as long as they do not harm others, but respect the life and dignity of their fellow men, women, and children. It is not my right to look condescendingly on people just because they do not share my opinion or viewpoint. Every human being is in a different stage of spiritual development, and frequently, we do not recognize how harmfully we may have been thinking and acting.

I am grateful for people who have been tolerant, forgiving, and patient with me despite all the mistakes I made in my past. Although having had the best of intentions, my thinking was narrow-minded for many decades, and I have harmed people because of it. Having had my life consistently determined for me, I was not able to see things clearly or from a different point of view. My mind was closed to evidence and logical reasoning, being convinced I was living “in the truth”. I hope that my story will help people who are imprisoned by their way of thinking. I wish them courage, strength, and above all, faith in themselves to liberate their souls and be able to live in harmony with their authentic selves.