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

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

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Here's a list of June inflation rates for Canadian provinces

Here's what happened in the provinces (previous month in brackets):

Here's a list of June inflation rates for Canadian provinces

Inflation rises to 1.9% in June as vehicle price hikes accelerate

The June price hike is up from 1.7 per cent in May and was largely in line with economists’ expectations.

Inflation rises to 1.9% in June as vehicle price hikes accelerate

Much of Canada smoky, other parts get heat, and some areas seeing both

Much of Central Canada, Manitoba and Saskatchewan were placed under special air quality statements or warnings on Monday due to smoke from wildfires on the Prairies and northern Ontario, as Environment Canada advised residents to limit time outdoors and watch for smoke exposure symptoms.

Much of Canada smoky, other parts get heat, and some areas seeing both

Carney expects U.S. trade talks to 'intensify' ahead of August deadline

Carney told reporters he expects the trade talks with the U.S. to "intensify" ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline to secure a new agreement, but then in French he said the evidence suggests President Donald Trump will not make any tariff-free deals.

Carney expects U.S. trade talks to 'intensify' ahead of August deadline

First Nations launch legal challenge against Ontario, federal bills 5 and C-5

The Indigenous communities say in the legal challenge filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice that the federal law known as Bill C-5 and the Ontario law known as Bill 5 both represent a "clear and present danger" to the First Nations' self-determination rights to ways of life on their territories.

First Nations launch legal challenge against Ontario, federal bills 5 and C-5

Number of Canadians with favourable view of U.S. has fallen, poll suggests

The survey by the Pew Research Center suggests one-third of Canadians — 34 per cent — now have a favourable view of the United States. It marks a 20 percentage point decrease from last year.