Friday, February 6, 2026
ADVT 
National

Mother of girl with rare disease says "nightmare is over" after B.C. restores funding

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Jul, 2025 10:50 AM
  • Mother of girl with rare disease says

The mother of a 10-year-old Vancouver Island girl who has an extremely rare disease says the "nightmare is over" after the government restored funding for her daughter's drug for as long as she needs it. 

Charleigh Pollock is the only person in B.C. to have Batten disease, and her mother Jori Fales says in a social post that she is "beyond grateful" for "all the beautiful humans that have moved mountains" for her daughter.

Pollock says the "love, support, generosity, compassion, kindness and devotion" shown by supporters of her daughters are "unmatched." 

Health Minister Josie Osborne announced on Thursday that the government has restored funding for the drug Brineura, which costs about $1 million per year.

Government had cut off funding last month, citing an expert committee that said the drug was no longer helping to slow the progress of the girl's disease.

Premier David Eby acknowledged on Thursday that a letter from a different group of experts in the United States had raised concern about the decision, and Osborne said the girl and her family should not suffer because of a "significant disagreement" among experts.   

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. Opposition Leader John Rustad accuses former Conservative MLAs of blackmail

B.C. Opposition Leader John Rustad accuses former Conservative MLAs of blackmail
British Columbia Conservative Leader John Rustad is accusing a group of legislators who split from the party of blackmailing its members and staff in a bid to take over and divide the Opposition. 

B.C. Opposition Leader John Rustad accuses former Conservative MLAs of blackmail

Grizzly on island is safety risk, cannot be relocated, B.C. conservation officers say

Grizzly on island is safety risk, cannot be relocated, B.C. conservation officers say
British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service says a grizzly that has stalked people, harassed livestock and damaged property on an island is not a candidate for relocation. 

Grizzly on island is safety risk, cannot be relocated, B.C. conservation officers say

Weekend rain, cooler conditions allow crews to make progress on B.C. wildfires

Weekend rain, cooler conditions allow crews to make progress on B.C. wildfires
Firefighters are marking success in opposite corners of British Columbia after favourable weather this weekend allowed crews to rein in two prominent fires that have triggered evacuation orders and alerts.

Weekend rain, cooler conditions allow crews to make progress on B.C. wildfires

Surrey, B.C., police launch team to counter extortions in South Asian community

Surrey, B.C., police launch team to counter extortions in South Asian community
A series of reports of extortion from people and businesses in the South Asian community has prompted a wider investigation by police in Surrey, B.C. 

Surrey, B.C., police launch team to counter extortions in South Asian community

Police warn of hundreds of Hells Angels in Surrey, B.C., this weekend

Police warn of hundreds of Hells Angels in Surrey, B.C., this weekend
Police in Surrey, B.C., are warning residents about hundreds of Hells Angels who have arrived in the city, saying they have a history as "perpetrators and attractors of violence."

Police warn of hundreds of Hells Angels in Surrey, B.C., this weekend

B.C. Independent MLAs start new party to 'combat the globalist assault'

B.C. Independent MLAs start new party to 'combat the globalist assault'
Two former members of the B.C. Conservatives who have been sitting as Independents for months say they are launching a new provincial political party.

B.C. Independent MLAs start new party to 'combat the globalist assault'