Abdelrahman
A family connected to JD Vance is urgently appealing to the Vice President and the Trump administration for assistance after their daughter was denied eligibility for a heart transplant.
Jeneen Deal, a resident of Indiana, shared her concerns with DailyMail.com, stating that she feels desperate as she is uncertain about how much time her 12-year-old daughter, Adaline, has left to live.
Adaline suffers from a severe heart defect that hampers her body’s ability to circulate oxygen effectively, increasing her risk of heart failure and forcing her to depend on a wheelchair for mobility. Despite receiving all major vaccinations, including MMR and polio, her parents have chosen not to vaccinate her against Covid or the flu due to their religious convictions. They also express concerns regarding the potential heart complications linked to the Covid vaccine.
Jeneen insists she does not seek preferential treatment but is asking the government to ensure that everyone in need of a transplant has access, irrespective of their vaccination status. She said, "I hope that President Trump and officials across the states will advocate for those facing discrimination based on their conscientious and religious beliefs."
According to the family, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Ohio has declined to add Adaline to their transplant list, citing the necessity of vaccinations for patients who will require lifelong immunosuppressive medications.
In a statement, the hospital clarified that they assess each transplant candidate with a focus on their long-term health prospects, noting the limited availability of transplant organs. Adaline has been diagnosed with Ebstein’s anomaly, a heart defect where a valve does not function correctly, allowing blood to flow backward. Additionally, she has Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which causes episodes of rapid heartbeats, and her right heart chamber is significantly enlarged.
Jeneen recounted that Adaline previously enjoyed running and swimming after undergoing surgery in her early years to correct her heart valve condition. Unfortunately, her health has declined over the past 18 months, now making her reliant on a wheelchair.
On average, individuals with her condition live to about 37 years, but they face a heightened risk of heart failure and sudden death. Jeneen expressed her deep concern, stating, “As a mother, it’s unsettling not to know how much time we have. I wish to be prepared for any eventuality, yet the doctors cannot provide us with certainty about her prognosis.”
She added that medical professionals advised her to seek immediate care if Adaline shows any signs of serious decline. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital requires heart transplant patients to be current on their vaccinations due to the increased risk of infections associated with immunosuppressive treatments.
The family also faces a national shortage of available organs, with approximately 3,500 individuals awaiting heart transplants across the country. Hospitals are tasked with balancing the needs of organ recipients and the families of donors.
Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a British cardiologist, criticized the situation as "appalling and unethical," claiming that the decision reflects a lack of understanding that for a 12-year-old, the risks of the Covid vaccine might outweigh the benefits.
While both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend Covid vaccinations for all children, studies have shown rare instances of myocarditis, or heart inflammation, associated with the Covid mRNA vaccine, particularly in young boys.
Jeneen and her family are exploring other medical facilities, including the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, which indicates that while vaccination is encouraged for transplant candidates, it is not strictly required. To help finance Adaline’s heart transplant, they have created a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised $60,000 towards their $100,000 goal.
Adaline is one of 12 siblings in her family, eight of whom were adopted from abroad, including Adaline, who was brought from China. Despite her challenges, she also contends with cerebral palsy, which affects her ability to communicate and interact effectively. DailyMail.com has reached out to JD Vance’s office for a response but has yet to receive any comments.
