Doctors told twelve-year-old Lenae Martinez, with her parents out of the room, that transfusions would prolong her life by about three to six months and that without blood she would die within days; she answered that she would not turn away from God ‘for six months of life’.

Doctors told twelve-year-old Lenae Martinez, with her parents out of the room, that transfusions would prolong her life by about three to six months and that without blood she would die within days; she answered that she would not turn away from God ‘for six months of life’. Source: Awake!, 22 May 1994

The organisation’s position or later explanation: The article presents the exchange as proof of her maturity, and records that the doctors and lawyer went out and told her parents ‘she thinks and talks like an adult and is able to make her own decisions’.

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Primary JW publication Verified

Awake!, “Youths Who Have “Power Beyond What Is Normal””

22 May 1994 · p.10 · pars. 12-17 · Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.

““But blood transfusions will prolong your life. If you refuse blood, you will die in a few days.” “If I take blood,” Lenae asked, “how long will that prolong my life?” “About three to six months,” they answered.”

Two doctors and a lawyer spoke to Lenae Martinez, 12, alone at Valley Children’s Hospital, Fresno, California, having asked her parents to leave. She replied that she would not turn away from God ‘for six months of life’.

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Provenance and verification note for Awake!, Youths Who Have “Power Beyond What Is Normal”

Confidence note. Opened on the Watchtower Online Library on 19 September 2026 and the wording, page marker and paragraph confirmed against the article text.

Corroborated by. src-g-1994-0522-power-beyond-normal

Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-g94d-martinez-three-to-six-months

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