Ken Long, a 54-year-old veteran from Eaton, has been denied a heart transplant at Christ Hospital due to his refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Long, who was diagnosed with congestive heart failure nearly a year ago, believes the decision is based on his vaccination status.
“When I decide something, I mean it, and if it takes dying, it’s what it is,” Long said. “They don’t know enough about it, and plus it’s already done a lot of damage. People have said blood clots. There are no cardiac issues and our personal religious rights.”
Initially, Long’s wife, Christina, disagreed with his decision.
“It’s my husband. I don’t want to lose my husband,” Christina said. “In the moment, you’re just overwhelmed, and you want to do anything you can to save somebody’s life, and then I had to regroup myself. It’s his right.”
Long now relies on a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to pump blood to his heart.
“I can hardly do anything. If the power goes out, I have to worry about my batteries and my charger,” Long said. “You can’t get wet, so showering is an issue.”
Hellbound and Down 