Following an epileptic seizure at a library that caused a brain haemorrhage, 26-year-old Isaac Valdez carried a "No Blood" card and declined an operation requiring donor blood, leading to his death on 26 August 2026. Less than a month later, church leadership altered an official ban dating back to 1945 by leaving the choice to accept blood components like plasma, red blood cells, and platelets to individual conscience. The religious organisation stated the update avoids scriptural overreach in modern medicine, though Valdez's twin brother Jacob condemned leadership for delaying the decision.
Key points
The updated church doctrine now permits individual members to decide whether to accept pl…: The updated church doctrine now permits individual members to decide whether to accept plasma, platelets, and red blood cells.
Leadership maintained a strict religious prohibition solely on the transfusion of whole b…: Leadership maintained a strict religious prohibition solely on the transfusion of whole blood.
The patient's twin brother expressed deep anger at church leaders for failing to enact th…: The patient's twin brother expressed deep anger at church leaders for failing to enact the policy reversal sooner.
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In August this year, 26-year-old Isaac Valdez had an epileptic seizure while browsing in his local library, causing him to convulse and strike his head against the ground.
He lost consciousness. Later, in hospital, it transpired Isaac had hit his head with such force it had led to a brain haemorrhage.
Treatment was seriously complicated by the fact that, as a Jehovah's Witness, Isaac carried a "No Blood" card, an indication that he would not accept treatment involving any form of blood transfusion because of his religious beliefs.
As a result, a procedure to drain fluid from Isaac's brain did not take place.
But his family, from Waxahachie, Texas, were encouraged by the fact that he regained consciousness and even started to talk again. He was able to confirm that he stood by his "no blood" beliefs.
The family's relief at his apparent improvement was short-lived. Isaac slipped into a coma and his condition worsened rapidly.
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