Bich Nguyen"Leaders of Jehovah’s Witnesses are modifying their prohibition on receiving blood transfusions on religious grounds, now allowing members to decide whether to allow their own blood to be drawn and stored in advance for such things as a scheduled surgery with a risk of significant blood loss."
Jehovah's Witnesses ease church policy against blood transfusions
Jehovah’s Witness leaders are modifying their rules on blood transfusions by letting members choose whether to store and reuse their own blood for medical care. They have maintained a ban on using others' blood in transfusions. The Governing Body announced the “clarification” on Friday, saying it came after prayer and deliberation. It says each Christian decides how one's own blood is used, including drawing it, storing it, and receiving it back for surgery. The group still bans transfusions of donated blood, which remains one of its most distinctive and controversial stances. Former members say the change is an improvement but wouldn't benefit people who lose blood in emergencies.