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

Auditor general finds F-35 costs soar amid project delays, pilot shortages

Auditor general finds F-35 costs soar amid project delays, pilot shortages
The estimated cost of Canada’s incoming fleet of advanced stealth fighters exploded by nearly 50 per cent in just a few years, auditor general Karen Hogan said Tuesday in a new report.

Auditor general finds F-35 costs soar amid project delays, pilot shortages

B.C.'s youth unemployment rate second-highest in Canada with 16.6 per cent in May

B.C.'s youth unemployment rate second-highest in Canada with 16.6 per cent in May
High school students walking across graduation stages this month will step into an uncertain job market as B.C. has the second-highest youth unemployment rate in Canada. 

B.C.'s youth unemployment rate second-highest in Canada with 16.6 per cent in May

Five things to know about Canada's plan to meet the NATO defence spending target

Five things to know about Canada's plan to meet the NATO defence spending target
Prime Minister Mark Carney is promising that Canada will quickly boost its defence spending to hit the NATO member target of two per cent of national GDP this year.

Five things to know about Canada's plan to meet the NATO defence spending target

Canada Post rejects union terms for arbitration as both sides enter bitter stalemate

Canada Post rejects union terms for arbitration as both sides enter bitter stalemate
A government push to steer Canada Post and the union representing 55,000 mail workers toward common ground hit a big pothole Monday.

Canada Post rejects union terms for arbitration as both sides enter bitter stalemate

Eby says it's not him blocking Smith's oil pipeline, it's lack of money and proponent

Eby says it's not him blocking Smith's oil pipeline, it's lack of money and proponent
British Columbia Premier David Eby says it's not him standing in the way of Alberta counterpart Danielle Smith's longed-for oil pipeline from Alberta to B.C.'s north coast — it's that there's no proponent, no money and "no project right now."

Eby says it's not him blocking Smith's oil pipeline, it's lack of money and proponent

B.C. to restore housing aid to families with sick children in Vancouver hospitals

B.C. to restore housing aid to families with sick children in Vancouver hospitals
The British Columbia government says it's working to reverse changes that slashed accommodation funding for out-of-town parents whose children receive specialized hospital care in Vancouver.

B.C. to restore housing aid to families with sick children in Vancouver hospitals