A distant relative of Vice President JD Vance faces a critical medical decision after being denied placement on a heart transplant list.
According to The Daily Caller, Cincinnati Children's Hospital refused to add 12-year-old Adaline Deal to their heart transplant list because she has not received COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, a requirement her family opposes on religious and medical grounds.
The Deal family adopted Adaline from China when she was 4 years old, knowing she had two heart conditions that would eventually require a transplant. For nearly a decade, she has received treatment at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, which her family considers the best medical facility in their region.
Earlier this February, Adaline's doctor informed the family about the mandatory vaccinations needed for transplant list eligibility.
When the Deals requested a religious exemption, the hospital declined to accommodate their request. The situation has forced the family to consider seeking treatment at other facilities that don't mandate these vaccines.
Janeen Deal, Adaline's mother, expressed her disappointment with the hospital's stance. She felt the decision showed a lack of priority for her daughter's life-saving needs.
The hospital's vaccination requirement stems from heightened infection risks faced by transplant recipients. Post-transplant medications that prevent organ rejection also weaken the immune system's ability to fight infections.
The family's story gained significant traction on social media platforms, leading to a dramatic increase in donations. Their GoFundMe campaign for Adaline's medical expenses jumped from $1,500 to over $50,000 as public awareness grew.
Janeen Deal explained that their decision against vaccination stemmed from both faith-based convictions and medical concerns. The family reached their conclusion after what she described as divine guidance.
When contacted about Adaline's case, Cincinnati Children's Hospital declined to provide specific information about their decision to keep her off the transplant list.
The Deal family must now navigate between their deeply held beliefs and established medical protocols as they seek life-saving treatment for their daughter.
Their search for alternative healthcare facilities that align with their vaccination stance continues as Adaline's need for a heart transplant becomes more pressing.
The case highlights the intersection of religious freedom, medical requirements, and life-saving procedures in America's healthcare system. As the family explores their options, they maintain hope of finding a solution that accommodates both their beliefs and Adaline's critical medical needs.
