A 12-year-old girl from Indiana, Adaline Deal, is facing a life-or-death challenge as she seeks a heart transplant amid medical and religious hurdles.

The Cincinnati Children's Hospital has refused to place Adaline, a distant relative of Vice President JD Vance, on its heart transplant list, citing her unvaccinated status against COVID-19 and the flu, a status that with her family's religious beliefs, but which runs counter to hospital policy, as the Daily Mail reports.

Adaline, who suffers from Ebstein's anomaly and Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, experiences a dangerously fast heartbeat, reaching rates as high as 250 beats per minute. Her condition, involving a leaking heart valve and arrhythmia, necessitates an urgent heart transplant.

Family's Religious Beliefs and Search for New Options

For nearly a decade, Adaline has been receiving treatment at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in Ohio. However, the hospital's refusal to list her for a transplant due to her vaccination status has left her family in distress.

Her adoptive mother, Jeneen Deal, expressed deep concern over the hospital's decision. "Wow. So, it's not about the kid. It's not about saving her life," she remarked, highlighting her dilemma about vaccination.

Together with Adaline's father, Brayton, the family is now exploring other transplant centers willing to accommodate patients without requiring vaccinations. They have launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising over $50,000 to support Adaline's medical journey.

Efforts To Challenge Hospital Policies Through Legislation

Jeneen Deal shared on the campaign page that Adaline's condition has progressed due to her growth, declaring, "She has grown so much that now her heart can't sustain her. So, we are seeking funds for the heart transplant process."

In pursuit of a fair chance for Adaline, the Deal family has teamed up with Ohio Advocates for Medical Freedom, backing legislative efforts to prevent vaccination-based discrimination in hospitals.

Ohio Rep. Jennifer Gross has shown support for the cause, co-sponsoring a bill designed to safeguard individuals against religious discrimination concerning medical procedures.

She emphasized her commitment through a statement, indicating, "I'm proud to be the sponsor of the Ohio bill that seeks to prevent discrimination against religious liberty. Stay tuned. #PrayForAdaline."

Comparisons to Past Cases Help Raise Awareness

Jeneen expressed hope that this legislative effort could pave the way for others facing similar challenges, asserting, "I'm so hopeful that this bill will save all the other children and adults so they don't have to go through what Adaline's had to go through."

This case resonates with a 2023 incident in Sydney, Australia, where a leukemia patient, Dazelle Peters, aged 16, was denied a lung transplant also due to her unvaccinated status. Such cases are elevating concerns regarding the balance between patient rights and medical protocols.

In the U.S., an estimated 50,000 people live with Ebstein's anomaly, and around 130,000 are impacted by WPW syndrome. These conditions often require specialized treatments and, in severe cases like Adaline's, transplants are crucial for survival.

Future Directions and Ongoing Advocacy

The family continues to rally support for both Adaline's treatment and broader systemic changes. They strive to ensure other patients may not face similar obstacles in accessing life-saving procedures based on personal or religious beliefs.

Despite their challenges, the Deals remain hopeful that they will find a suitable care center that aligns with their needs and beliefs. The dedication to finding alternative centers is unwavering as they navigate these complex situations.

"Getting vaccinated should be your choice," Jeneen underscored, voicing the family's firm stance on the matter. As they push forward, the Deals emphasize personal choice in healthcare decisions.

As the landscape of healthcare policies continues to evolve, cases like Adaline's highlight the intersection of ethical considerations, patient autonomy, and scientific guidelines.

The outcome of their legislative campaign could set a precedent for how vaccination policies in life-saving treatments are addressed.