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Sick girl must continue with blood transfusions
Scott Crowson
Calgary Herald
Friday, March 29, 2002
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Alberta Children's Services has ruled that a 16-year-old Calgary girl stricken with leukemia must continue receiving blood transfusions even though it conflicts with her faith.
The Jehovah's Witness, who became a ward of the state last month to ensure she would undergo the life-saving procedure, is seeking out-of-province alternatives that don't involve blood transfusions.
The child welfare director said Thursday that the girl will continue to receive the treatment in conjunction with chemotherapy that began last month in Calgary.
"That decision was based on extensive discussions with the medical personnel at Alberta Children's Hospital," said ministry spokesman Mark Kastner. "We're abiding by their recommendation."
The girl, who has now had 12 transfusions, was disappointed with the decision, said her lawyer, David Gnam.
The religious debate over blood transfusions has divided the girl's family. Her mother supports the girl's right to refuse the treatment, while her father does not.
The father was pleased with Thursday's decision, said his lawyer, Bob Calvert.
"The decision is absolutely the right decision," Calvert said.
Last Friday, Gnam made a motion in Court of Queen's Bench seeking permission for the girl to seek alternative treatments. Justice Adele Kent asked Gnam to provide more detailed information on the proposed alternatives, which was done Monday.
Thursday noon was the deadline for a decision from child welfare authorities regarding treatment.
Earlier this week, the girl, who cannot be named because she is in temporary custody of child welfare authorities, told the Herald she was arranging for treatment in California.
Dr. Michael Lill, the director of the bone marrow transplant program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, had invited the girl to Los Angeles for a treatment program that doesn't involve blood transfusions.
Lill has successfully treated other Jehovah's Witnesses with a process that involves using high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplants.
Calvert said local doctors considered and rejected a similar treatment plan when the girl was first diagnosed.
"It's in the realm of experimental treatment as opposed to the treatment that she is on, which is the standard of care," he said.
"It would put her at significant risk of death."
The matter will be back before the courts next week. The girl's lawyer is appealing a February ruling regarding treatment and guardianship.
© Copyright 2002 Calgary Herald