I drop in here occasionally but have only posted a few times. I grew up as a JW and find many of your experiences similar. I would have to answer YES! This happens among JWs probably about 10 times a year. JWs will not accept blood transfusions even if their lives depend on it. This goes for thier children too. There is currently a case going on now (you can read about it on www.channelc.org, look down the page). I personally know parents who let thier 12 year old daughter die rather than accept a blood transfusion. A few years ago one edition of one of thier magazine hada special article with pictures of some beutiful young people (aged from about 7 yo 15) who had died rather than accept a blood transfusion. In these cases, the children had "decided for themselves" not to accept a blood transfusion.