Jehovah's Witness, 14, ordered to receive blood transfusion despite beliefs

The McGill University Health Centre has been authorized to perform blood transfusions to treat a 14-year-old girl with cancer, despite her refusalbecauseit goes against her beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness.

In a ruling issued earlier this month, Superior Court JusticeLukaszGranosikconcluded that it is lawful to protect a child, sometimes even against their own wishes, when their decision can be fatal or irreversibly alter their lives.

The teen, identified onlyas "X" because she is a minor, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in June 2017 and treated with chemotherapy.

Although Granosiknoted that X exhibited a high level of maturity, he ultimately concluded:"The need for a blood transfusion should be considered to save the life of X or avoid permanent damage to herphysical integrity."

'Chance of cure at risk,' doctor warned

The treatmenthasa success rate of 97 per cent with an 85 per cent chance there would be no recurrence. It can, however, require blood transfusions, whichare forbidden under Jehovah's Witnessdoctrine.

Her doctor, aware the teen and her mother were opposed to a transfusion, tried to avoid having to give one.

But in August 2017, following the third round of chemotherapy, her doctor grew increasingly concernedthe teen wouldrequirea transfusion because of herlow platelet count, which can lead to fatal hemorrhaging.

"I am concerned that X and her family will continue to make changes in her treatment plan that are not medically sound and put her chance of cure at risk," her hematologist-oncologist, identified only as Dr. Sabapathy,wrote later the same month.

"I am therefore asking the court to give us permission to transfuse X blood products if needed to [treat] any life threatening drop in her blood counts."

MUHC allowed to perform transfusions

The ruling, issuedSept. 1, allowedthe MUHC to provide blood transfusionsand other necessary blood treatments forone month,in an effort to treat her cancer and prevent her death.

The Supreme Court has repeatedly examined the right of Jehovah's Witnesses to refuse blood transfusions.

In the case of minors, the key decision comes from Manitoba and dates back to 2009.

• Girl's forced blood transfusion didn't violate rights: top court

In a six-to-onedecision, the Supreme Court ruled that a minorshould have the opportunity to make decisions of a medical nature, but that the court must have the power to intervene when a human life is in danger.

The Quebec government, meanwhile, has faced pressure to amend the province's Civil Codewhen it comes to adults, after aJehovah's Witness womandied six days after she gavebirth inOctober 2016.

loseDupuis'srefusal of an emergency blood transfusion to treata hemorrhage prompted family members and medical ethicists topush for staff at Quebec hospitalsto be allowed to administer life-saving treatment in such circumstances.