In 1975 things came to a head when a hospital in Copenhagen wanted to force a blood transfusion on a three-year-old boy against his parents’ wishes. Thankfully, the parents found a cooperative doctor who gave the boy good medical attention consisting of nonblood treatment. After a couple of weeks, the boy was home again, and he is fit and healthy to this day.

Sadly, during this time the boy’s parents and other Witnesses were subjected to a veritable persecution campaign in the media. Even bomb threats and incidents of outright violence occurred. However, the case gave an opportunity to address the medical profession directly. Brother Jørgen Larsen wrote an article, “Blood Transfusion​—Religious Faith and Medical Ethics,” that was printed in Ugeskrift for Læger (Danish Medical Weekly) of July 19, 1976. This was the first major step in the right direction.

The Branch Committee. From left, Erik Jørgensen, Henning Thusgaard, Jørgen Larsen, Arne S. Nielsen, and Orla Rand Nielsen