As told by Charise Mayhay
Lenora & Charise Mayhay
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and although medical options were available that could have prolonged—or even saved—her life, she refused surgery. Her decision wasn’t based on a fear of medicine or lack of information. It was rooted in her deep commitment to the doctrines of Jehovah’s Witnesses, particularly their strict prohibition against accepting blood transfusions. That belief became the deciding factor in rejecting a potentially life-saving procedure.
Despite the severity of her condition, no one within her religious community—not even family members who shared her faith—challenged her decision. Instead, they reinforced it. They told her she was doing the right thing, that Jehovah was proud of her strength, and that she would be rewarded for her loyalty.
Their encouragement gave her the resolve to continue down a path that ultimately led to her premature death. She died on September 24, 2020, at the age of sixty.
Her passing was not solely the result of cancer—it was also the result of religious indoctrination that prioritized doctrine over medical reality. Watching her deteriorate, knowing that options were available and rejected in the name of faith, was devastating. In the end, it wasn’t just the illness that claimed her life—it was the grip of a belief system that discouraged survival in favor of sacrifice.
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