http://www.courierpostonline.com/app...08/1004/LIVING

A bloodless victory
Several hospitals offer surgery without blood transfusions, which is in demand by Jehovah's Witnesses

Several hospitals offer surgery without blood transfusions, which is in demand by Jehovah's Witnesses
Paul Schade operates the presses at the Burlington County Times, but the 53-year-old knows more about alternatives to blood transfusions than some doctors.


A Jehovah's Witness, Schade is a volunteer for the faith's hospital liaison committee covering South Jersey and the Philadelphia region. His job is to help fellow Witnesses find appropriate medical treatment without having to use donated blood.


Jehovah's Witnesses cite certain biblical passages which they say prohibit the use of blood. They will seek medical treatment when ill, but refuse blood transfusions and the use of blood products.

Twenty years ago, that was hard for a Witness to do. But advancements in medicine, a federal informed consent law and an increasing number of hospitals offering "bloodless care" have http://www.courierpostonline.com/app...08/1004/LIVING