Without giving a reason, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta reversed its decision to deny 15-year-old Anthony Stokes a new heart.
“We met with hospital officials about 30 minutes ago,” family spokesman Mark Bell said this afternoon. “After reviewing the situation, they said Anthony would be placed on the list for a heart transplant and that he would be first in line, due to his weakened heart condition.”
Bell said hospital officials did not offer a reason as to why they changed their minds.
In a statement issued shortly after the family’s announcement, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta said: “As we stated previously, a heart transplant evaluation is an ongoing process based on the patient and his or her family’s ability to meet specific transplant criteria. … Our physician experts are continuing to work with this family to establish a care plan and determine the best next steps for the patient.”
Anthony suffers from dilated cardiomyopathy. Without a new heart, doctor’s say he will die within three to six months, according to his mother. Over the weekend, the hospital notified the family that Anthony was not a good candidate for transplant due to a “history of noncompliance”, which was determined base on low school performance and a run-in with the law.
To read more about disparities in the organ transplant process, check out my post from Monday.
UPDATE 8/16:
I want to apologize to anyone who was rightfully offended by the violently racist comments to this article, most of which I have removed. I didn’t have a chance to read through the thread until now. Never have I seen such disgustingly vulgar hatred on a single article before. If you missed it, lucky you. One racist troll actually wished that Anthony would be “Trayvoned”. What kind of sick person says something like that?
For those of you who tried to respond without losing your minds, you’re better people than me. And to those who metaphorically wished harm on the trolls, I don’t blame you but I did remove your comments because a) they don’t make much sense out of context and, b) I don’t want to be responsible for inciting violence.
[…] 2: Good news: the hospital reversed its decision and added Anthony’s name to the […]
August 13, 2013 at 7:18 pm[…] 2: Good news: the hospital reversed its decision and added Anthony’s name to the […]
August 13, 2013 at 7:18 pmyou two should have been aborted.
August 14, 2013 at 10:24 amyou got a c- you do not qualify for continued life.
Yet we voted a president to office with same c-, maybe he didn’t do well in school cause he didn’t feel good, with bad heart…just another way the good ole government to control population and you two sound very ignorant using made up terms like “Trayvonned” seriously-?! go flush yourself down the toilet. YOU are what is WRONG with this Country and your assbackwards beliefs.
August 14, 2013 at 10:29 amI agree, those of you who used Trayvon’s tragedy and said that, please go flush yourselves down the toilet, jump off the nearest bridge, humanity doesn’t want you. It’s never too late for an abortion.
August 14, 2013 at 2:57 pmyou got a c- you do not qualify for continued life.
Yet we voted a president to office with same c-, maybe he didn’t do well in school cause he didn’t feel good, with bad heart…just another way the good ole government to control population and you two sound very ignorant using made up terms like “Trayvonned” seriously-?! go flush yourself down the toilet. YOU are what is WRONG with this Country and your assbackwards beliefs.
August 14, 2013 at 10:29 amI can’t imagine why they think racism still exists with people like you being sucg beacons of hope.
August 14, 2013 at 10:33 amRacism is alive and well, and so is hatred, as evidenced by the gollum-like creatures who posted above. Maybe one day you will both need mercy and not get it. God is not blind.
August 14, 2013 at 10:40 amCindy, please do not insult Gollum with your comparison. Gollum, at least, had a purpose.
August 14, 2013 at 10:48 amRacism is alive and well, and so is hatred, as evidenced by the gollum-like creatures who posted above. Maybe one day you will both need mercy and not get it. God is not blind.
August 14, 2013 at 10:40 amCindy, please do not insult Gollum with your comparison. Gollum, at least, had a purpose.
August 14, 2013 at 10:48 amSick M-F-R
August 14, 2013 at 10:44 amAnother sick M-F-R
August 14, 2013 at 10:46 amAnother sick M-F-R
August 14, 2013 at 10:46 amI’m glad that an executive from the health care industry has weighed in on this issue. We all value your expertise and insights. Clearly we should put the specter of racism behind us.
August 14, 2013 at 10:52 amSo you have no rebuttal other than ‘DAS RAYCIS!’? Yeah, I thought so.
August 14, 2013 at 10:55 amI’m glad that an executive from the health care industry has weighed in on this issue. We all value your expertise and insights. Clearly we should put the specter of racism behind us.
August 14, 2013 at 10:52 amDo you even English?
August 14, 2013 at 11:01 amDo you even English?
August 14, 2013 at 11:01 amLol say what? Why do people like to sound uneducated ??
August 14, 2013 at 11:40 amLol say what? Why do people like to sound uneducated ??
August 14, 2013 at 11:40 amWhen are people going to stop this constant divisive nature. This young man could be used as a tool for God’s Glory and Grace. All things happen for the good of them that love the Lord, not (good things happen to them). We are all Gods children and its time we worked together instead of working to divide because of hate and bigotry in all races. There are none of us that are able to change the past we are only able to influence what happens from this moment on so please let us humble ourselves before God and ask him to bless this young man with His love and Mercy so he may become spiritually strong for God. May God be praised for the change of heart and decision of those who have to make decisions in the children’s hospital, may God always be there guide.
August 14, 2013 at 11:44 amWhen are people going to stop this constant divisive nature. This young man could be used as a tool for God’s Glory and Grace. All things happen for the good of them that love the Lord, not (good things happen to them). We are all Gods children and its time we worked together instead of working to divide because of hate and bigotry in all races. There are none of us that are able to change the past we are only able to influence what happens from this moment on so please let us humble ourselves before God and ask him to bless this young man with His love and Mercy so he may become spiritually strong for God. May God be praised for the change of heart and decision of those who have to make decisions in the children’s hospital, may God always be there guide.
August 14, 2013 at 11:44 amYour ridiculous comments and racist remarks should be erased from this site. You are a bigot and no one really cares as to what you have to say. If it were up to me, I would “Trayvon” you through the chest.
This kid deserves a heart just like any other kid. He hasn’t had a chance to live yet. He’s only 15 and I’m sure after this whole experience he will wake up and realize that his life is worth taking seriously. Just because he is black and has tatooes doesn’t make him any less of a human being. Its people like you that make me wanna go shoot Ku Klux Klan member.
August 14, 2013 at 11:56 amDisgusting, a perfectly innocent child will probably die because this thug who can’t even remember to take his meds got bumped to the top of the list .
August 14, 2013 at 12:08 pmDisgusting, a perfectly innocent child will probably die because this thug who can’t even remember to take his meds got bumped to the top of the list .
August 14, 2013 at 12:08 pmLOL. A third term… I voted for obama and I am a “cracker” (I hate that term. My family is Irish. We never owned slaves. My ancestors are indentured servants and poor coal miners). You sound ridiculous though.
August 14, 2013 at 12:56 pmwon’t need no votes cuz Obama gonna take his 3 term doan matter what u cracker do’s cuz yall the enemy of us blacks keepin us down
August 14, 2013 at 2:25 pmSome of the comments here are disheartening. The bottom line is that the kid is 15 years old – a KID. Science has proven over and over again that the brain does not stop growing, evolving, becoming “grown up” until right around the age of 25. I cannot believe that some would deny this child a life-saving operation because of inherently normal childish decisions without giving him, or anyone else in the same position, a chance to grow up entirely. If a child isn’t allowed to make mistakes and learn from them, and society is going to judge them as adults when they absolutely – by any stretch of the imagination – should not, this world is entirely more fucked up than I thought. Losing faith in humanity here, exponentially.
August 14, 2013 at 1:14 pmI Basically we’ve got a couple of little white racists trolling on this page, they’re both a couple of morons with the intellectual and rational aptitude of pond scum…. Nobody else who has posted here buys their brain dead arguments.
Don’t be too discouraged.
August 14, 2013 at 10:07 pmThis is a very sad situation. I do feel for the boy and his family. But I also feel for the others in need of the transplant, and hope that they’re chosen over him ONLY because he and his mother have proven themselves to be un deserving of another organ. It hurt me to say that, but…….. They don’t seem to posses the intelligence and discipline to follow through with necessary treatments and guidelines.
Again, I do wish them well, but a lot of money and effort is being spent on the boy, and he’s not likely to prove to be worth the investment.
August 15, 2013 at 4:08 pmSome of the comments here are disheartening. The bottom line is that the kid is 15 years old – a KID. Science has proven over and over again that the brain does not stop growing, evolving, becoming “grown up” until right around the age of 25. I cannot believe that some would deny this child a life-saving operation because of inherently normal childish decisions without giving him, or anyone else in the same position, a chance to grow up entirely. If a child isn’t allowed to make mistakes and learn from them, and society is going to judge them as adults when they absolutely – by any stretch of the imagination – should not, this world is entirely more fucked up than I thought. Losing faith in humanity here, exponentially.
August 14, 2013 at 1:14 pmI Basically we’ve got a couple of little white racists trolling on this page, they’re both a couple of morons with the intellectual and rational aptitude of pond scum…. Nobody else who has posted here buys their brain dead arguments.
Don’t be too discouraged.
August 14, 2013 at 10:07 pmThis is a very sad situation. I do feel for the boy and his family. But I also feel for the others in need of the transplant, and hope that they’re chosen over him ONLY because he and his mother have proven themselves to be un deserving of another organ. It hurt me to say that, but…….. They don’t seem to posses the intelligence and discipline to follow through with necessary treatments and guidelines.
Again, I do wish them well, but a lot of money and effort is being spent on the boy, and he’s not likely to prove to be worth the investment.
August 15, 2013 at 4:08 pmWell, are you a racist rude ass!
August 14, 2013 at 1:51 pmWell, are you a racist rude ass!
August 14, 2013 at 1:51 pmWow, you sound as ignorant and racist as those assholes previously…why don’t you wise up? Slavery is over, it’s one of the atrocities that white man has committed, what about the Native Americans? Nobody says dick about them. This is a case of unfairness due to a child cannot be judged on some negative things that happened in school…is it racist? Probably, can you prove it? No, but they reversed their decision, so at least that is fixed. I’ve never heard of a kid being denied a transplant for being a bad kid. You need to grow up b/c attitudes like yours will never ever eradicate racism. Grow up dude.
August 14, 2013 at 2:51 pmWow, you sound as ignorant and racist as those assholes previously…why don’t you wise up? Slavery is over, it’s one of the atrocities that white man has committed, what about the Native Americans? Nobody says dick about them. This is a case of unfairness due to a child cannot be judged on some negative things that happened in school…is it racist? Probably, can you prove it? No, but they reversed their decision, so at least that is fixed. I’ve never heard of a kid being denied a transplant for being a bad kid. You need to grow up b/c attitudes like yours will never ever eradicate racism. Grow up dude.
August 14, 2013 at 2:51 pmDude, you can’t even do a passable job of sounding african-american…don’t you get it people C. Johnson # is a white racist trying to get people to believe he is black to stoke racism. C. Johnson # go put on your white hood and sheet, at least you would be a honest bigot.
August 14, 2013 at 4:48 pmDude, you can’t even do a passable job of sounding african-american…don’t you get it people C. Johnson # is a white racist trying to get people to believe he is black to stoke racism. C. Johnson # go put on your white hood and sheet, at least you would be a honest bigot.
August 14, 2013 at 4:48 pmWow you really are a piece of shit aren’t you Barry, appropriate surname you have there.
August 14, 2013 at 9:18 pmWow you really are a piece of shit aren’t you Barry, appropriate surname you have there.
August 14, 2013 at 9:18 pm*off… ! ; )
August 14, 2013 at 9:48 pm*off… ! ; )
August 14, 2013 at 9:48 pmGreen Card please?!
August 15, 2013 at 3:58 pmMy thoughts exactly James. It is apparent he is not African-American. How sad he is!
August 14, 2013 at 10:20 pmMy thoughts exactly James. It is apparent he is not African-American. How sad he is!
August 14, 2013 at 10:20 pmyou racist idiot!
this young man deserves more than your idiotic trolling style comments!
I hope and wish him all the best and that he succeeeds in whatever he chooses to do in life…
go back in your hole and dont come out until youre a decent person…
August 15, 2013 at 7:21 amThis shows the level of Ignorance & Intolerance that this young man is facing. How would you feel if someone Trayvoned your family member. Never cease to amaze me even @ my age!!
August 15, 2013 at 4:45 pmyou racist idiot!
this young man deserves more than your idiotic trolling style comments!
I hope and wish him all the best and that he succeeeds in whatever he chooses to do in life…
go back in your hole and dont come out until youre a decent person…
August 15, 2013 at 7:21 amThis shows the level of Ignorance & Intolerance that this young man is facing. How would you feel if someone Trayvoned your family member. Never cease to amaze me even @ my age!!
August 15, 2013 at 4:45 pmJust the way luck has it, you’ll be the one to get trayvoned u jackass
August 15, 2013 at 8:25 amGee….. Jose’….. why on earth would ANY black person think that racism still exists?!
August 15, 2013 at 3:43 pmGee….. Jose’….. why on earth would ANY black person think that racism still exists?!
August 15, 2013 at 3:43 pmSince when is a Barrio better than a ghetto?
And may I see your Green Card please?
August 15, 2013 at 3:51 pmSince when is a Barrio better than a ghetto?
And may I see your Green Card please?
August 15, 2013 at 3:51 pmI’ll bet you anything that C. Johnson is as nice as can be in the presence of blacks. That’s we he has to release his racism anonymously on the net.
Keep practicing C. Johnson……. try as you may to convince us you’re black, ( & stir up racial hatred) but no ones buying it.
August 15, 2013 at 3:57 pmI’ll bet you anything that C. Johnson is as nice as can be in the presence of blacks. That’s we he has to release his racism anonymously on the net.
Keep practicing C. Johnson……. try as you may to convince us you’re black, ( & stir up racial hatred) but no ones buying it.
August 15, 2013 at 3:57 pmJose Pinnero, how long have youor your parents been citizens of the US? Be careful it could be your family member that’s Trayvoned – so callus, cold!
August 15, 2013 at 4:50 pm“Bad grades” and “trouble with the law”. That’s absurd! I’ve was in medicine for 50 years and NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING! Ridiculous!
August 25, 2013 at 2:26 am“Bad grades” and “trouble with the law”. That’s absurd! I’ve was in medicine for 50 years and NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING! Ridiculous!
August 25, 2013 at 2:26 am