Jehovah’s Witness Woman Receives Rare Bloodless Heart Transplant
Carolyn McLeod, a Jehovah’s Witness woman, recently underwent a bloodless heart transplant at the University of Chicago Medical Center. McLeod had been waiting for a new heart for 18 years due to her refusal to receive blood transfusions based on her religious beliefs as a Jehovah’s Witness. The procedure, which took place in September 2023, was successful, and McLeod is now recovering.
Bloodless procedures, also known as Jehovah’s Witness surgeries, are performed without the use of blood transfusions, in accordance with the religious beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. These procedures are more challenging and less common due to the need to minimize blood loss and find alternative methods to maintain the patient’s blood volume during surgery.
McLeod’s successful bloodless heart transplant highlights advances in medical technology and the ability to provide appropriate treatment options for individuals with specific religious beliefs. It also underscores the importance of respecting patients’ religious beliefs and finding innovative ways to accommodate their needs while still providing necessary medical care.
