Judge rules teen Jehovah's Witness will get blood transfusions

Jehovah's Witness forced to receive blood A judge has decided that a young girl with cancer must receive blood transfusions to save her life, despite her religious beliefs.

A judge has authorized a Montreal hospital to perform blood transfusions to treat a 14-year-old teen with cancer, despite her refusal because she is a Jehovah's Witness.

By allowing transfusions, the court ruled that it is lawful to protect children, sometimes "against themselves," when their decisions can be fatal.

Under Quebec law, minors over the age of 14 can refuse certain health services. However, if the child’s parents or a hospital--in this case, the McGill University Health Centre--wants to administer those services, they can seek a judge’s permission.

Superior Court Judge Lukasz Granosik said in his decision that the teen is "a brilliant, articulate girl" who is very successful at school and has a "maturity beyond her biological age," but that she was not yet mature enough to decide for herself, and was under pressure from her parents who are also Jehovah's Witnesses.

Granosik also noted the girl spoke of death with "resignation," despite having a 97 percent chance of recovery if she underwent treatment.

In June 2017, she found out she had Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer, and had to begin chemotherapy.

This treatment, however, often requires blood transfusions. Without it, the patient could die or suffer irreversible neurological damage, her doctor said.

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions.

Judge Granosik’s decision was rendered on Sept. 1.

- With a report from The Canadian Press