Thread: Is it Just Religion?

I am a Jehovah's Witness but I am curious if there are others refusing blood because of the risks involved?

In my experience of managing a Blood Conservation Program, about 85% of the patients we see are Jehovah's Witnesses requesting treatment without the use of donor blood. The other 15% are patients who are concerned with the safety of blood and would prefer not to take a blood transfusion, but would as a last resort if it meant loss of life or limb. Surprisingly, I have seen patients from many different religions say they do not want blood and consider blood sacred and have a personal conviction to neither give away their blood or accept someone else's. So I guess the short answer is yes, there are others who refuse due to the risks involved, but the majority avoid blood primarily for religious reasons.

Thank you for your response!

Originally Posted by markeldredge

In my experience of managing a Blood Conservation Program, about 85% of the patients we see are Jehovah's Witnesses requesting treatment without the use of donor blood. The other 15% are patients who are concerned with the safety of blood and would prefer not to take a blood transfusion, but would as a last resort if it meant loss of life or limb. Surprisingly, I have seen patients from many different religions say they do not want blood and consider blood sacred and have a personal conviction to neither give away their blood or accept someone else's. So I guess the short answer is yes, there are others who refuse due to the risks involved, but the majority avoid blood primarily for religious reasons.