The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) is calling on Albertans to petition Premier Danielle Smith and Health Minister Jason Copping to allow an unvaccinated patient access to a needed lifesaving treatment. .JCCF President John Carpay released an open letter Tuesday that highlighted Sheila Annette Lewis' case — a terminally ill Alberta grandmother in need of a life-saving organ transplant, but being denied the treatment due to her choice to remain unvaccinated against COVID-19. .“I am a wife, mother, and grandmother, and I want to live as long as I can to be there for my family and be a part of their lives while they grow and mature," wrote Lewis in her affidavit. ."I want my grandchildren to know their grandmother, and I have a lot of life and love left to give. This decision whether or not to take this experimental COVID-19 vaccine has been agonizing for me and has caused me incredible stress and sorrow. I went back and forth with this decision because I do not want to die.”.Lewis has been waiting since early 2020 for an organ transplant, but was removed from the list after she refused the COVID-19 vaccine. .“I am under incredible stress over the fact that these doctors are demanding I take this vaccine in order for me to get my life-saving surgery," said Lewis. .Lewis said she is having trouble sleeping and is "filled with mental anguish" knowing she will die without the surgery for refusing to take what she called an "experimental treatment." .“For my whole life, I have had a very strong belief that a person should have the free will to choose what goes into their body," she said. ."Refusing this vaccine even at the cost of losing my life was the only choice I could ultimately make without violating my conscience. Being threatened, under duress, to take an experimental medical treatment or face the loss of one's life is a complete affront to my conscience and my belief in free will. While I was tempted to take it to save my life, in the end, I was and remain faithful to my conscience.”.The JCCF has represented Lewis in her constitutional challenge in this matter since August 2021. In September 2021, JCCF lawyers sent a letter demanding Alberta Health Service (AHS) doctors not remove Lewis from the transplant wait list. .“Ms. Lewis has the freedom to choose what medical interventions she receives, and she must not be threatened and punished with a denial of the chance to live because she has exercised that freedom,” wrote JCCF lawyer Allison Pejovic in the letter. .Court action was then filed against AHS in November, 2021, which included expert reports from two immunologists, Dr. Bonnie Mallard and Dr. Byram Bridle. .Mallard is an award-winning immunologist who has taught Immunology at the post-secondary level for 30 years. Dr. Byram Bridle — a virologist, vaccinologist, and an immunologist — was recently invited to be a reviewer for the Canadian Institute of Health Research College of Reviewers, and was recognized in 2021 as one of their outstanding reviewers. ."These experts confirm what is now widely known: government and media statements on the safety and efficacy of [COVID-19] shots have proved false," said Carpay. ."[COVID-19] shots do not stop infection or transmission, and they have a concerning safety profile. The peer-reviewed research and raw scientific data led these experts to seriously question the safety and efficacy of the [COVID-19] vaccines as compared to traditional vaccines that have been around for decades.".READ MORE: Alberta doctors temporarily lift COVID vax requirement for dying patient.The JCCF was successful in getting Lewis a temporary injunction preventing her removal from the transplant list, however, in July the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench ruled the Canadian Charter doesn't apply to the mandatory requirement that patients receive the COVID-19 vaccine before being eligible for a transplant. It also declined to consider Lewis' argument her rights under the Alberta Bill of Rights are also being infringed upon..READ MORE: Alberta judge rules doctors OK to drop unvaxxed patient from transplant waitlist.It has been policy for some time that transplant patients are required to be up to date with all the current childhood vaccinations in order to qualify for the procedure. The COVID-19 vaccine was added to the required list as of 2021. .In August, JCCF lawyers filed a Notice of Appeal on behalf of Lewis which was heard on October 20..READ MORE: Unvaxxed Alberta woman denied life-saving organ transplant appeals court decision.On November 8, it was learned the Alberta Court of Appeal upheld the lower court's decision and "entirely ignored Ms. Lewis' argument based on the Alberta Bill of Rights," said Carpay. .READ MORE: Unvaxxed Alberta woman's appeal to receive life-saving transplant again denied.Lewis, along with her legal team, are now considering next steps and the JCCF has confirmed it will continue to advocate for Lewis' rights and support her through the legal process, but advised she is running out of time. ."Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Health Minister Jason Copping are able to change the deadly and discriminatory policies of [AHS] now, immediately," said Carpay. ."Sheila Annette Lewis is not the only person facing a terrible ordeal at the hands of [AHS]. She is one of several transplant patients facing discrimination over their conscientious refusal to take an ineffective and experimental treatment."."Please join me in asking Premier Smith and Minister Copping to instruct Alberta Health Services to stop discriminating against patients on the basis of vaccination status. Transplant candidates should not be required, as a condition for life-saving surgery, to receive an injection which will be in clinical trials until 2023 and for which there is no long-term safety data.".Carpay included email links to Smith at premier@gov.ab.ca or Brooks.MedicineHat@assembly.ab.ca and Copping at health.minister@gov.ab.ca or Calgary.Varsity@assembly.ab.ca. ."Now is the time to take action to help Sheila Annette Lewis and other patients who face immense suffering and risk death at the hands of Alberta Health Services," said Carpay, who encouraged Albertans to contact the premier and health minister "today."
