Teenager Being Denied Heart Transplant Due to Non-Compliance

A 15-year-old Anthony Stokes of Georgia, who has been given six months to live, desperately needs a heart transplant. However, Doctors at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston have opted to not put the teen on the national transplant list because of past "non-compliance." Stokes has a history of failing to follow doctors' orders.

"They said they don't have any evidence that he would take his medicine or that he would go to his follow-ups," Melencia Hamilton, Anthony's mother, told WSBTV. Stokes' family believes he is being denied the transplant because of his run-ins with the law.

Hospitals follow strict criteria when deciding whether to put individuals on the transplant list. The hospital has told the media that they are still looking at all their options but Stokes is scheduled to be released from the hospital later this week.

Do you think this teen should be put on the transplant list even though he has failed to follow doctor's medical advice in the past? Should he be excluded from the list because he's been in trouble with the law? With transplant organs in such high demand, would the organ go to someone more deserving or should his age trump all his history? Tell us what you you think!