A critically ill Indiana girl related to Vice President JD Vance faces life-threatening delays in receiving a heart transplant.
According to The Daily Caller, Cincinnati Children's Hospital denied placing 12-year-old Adaline Deal on their heart transplant list because she lacks COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, a requirement her family opposes on religious and medical grounds.
The Deals 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 in February, Adaline's medical team informed the family about the vaccination requirements for transplant eligibility. When the Deals requested a religious exemption, the hospital declined to accommodate their wishes.
Janeen Deal, Adaline's mother, expressed her disappointment with the hospital's stance. Deal shared that their decision against vaccination stemmed from both faith-based convictions and medical concerns.
According to Deal: "I thought, wow. So, it's not about the kid. It's not about saving her life."
Medical professionals emphasize that transplant recipients face heightened infection risks due to post-surgery medications. These essential drugs work by suppressing the immune system to prevent organ rejection, but this also makes patients more vulnerable to infections.
Northwestern Medicine explains that infections frequently occur following heart transplants. The combination of immunosuppressive medications and the body's natural response to the new organ creates significant health challenges for recipients.
The hospital's spokesperson declined to comment specifically on Adaline's case when questioned about her exclusion from the transplant list.
The Deal family now investigates other medical facilities that might perform the transplant without requiring vaccinations. Janeen Deal mentioned their decision was influenced by spiritual guidance, stating that "the Holy Spirit put it on our hearts."
The family's story gained significant traction on social media platforms, leading to an outpouring of financial support. Their GoFundMe campaign, initially struggling at $1,500, has now surpassed $50,000 in donations for Adaline's medical expenses.
The Deal family, distantly connected to Vice President JD Vance through marriage, continues their search for alternative treatment options while maintaining their stance against required vaccinations. Their 12-year-old daughter Adaline's heart condition requires immediate attention, prompting them to seek facilities that align with their religious and medical beliefs regarding vaccination policies.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital's decision reflects broader healthcare policies designed to protect vulnerable transplant recipients, while the family's resistance highlights ongoing tensions between personal beliefs and medical requirements in life-saving procedures.
