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| Charlie Gard. Photo: Go Fund Me |
President Donald Trump on Monday tweeted his support for
Charlie Gard, a 10-month-old terminally sick baby who is on life-support in a
British hospital and has been at the centre of a complex ethics case.
Charlie Gard, a 10-month-old terminally sick baby who is on life-support in a
British hospital and has been at the centre of a complex ethics case.
The president wrote: “If we can help little #CharlieGard,
as per our friends in the UK and the Pope, we would be delighted to do
so.”
as per our friends in the UK and the Pope, we would be delighted to do
so.”
Charlie has a rare genetic condition, an inherited
mitochondrial disease referred to generally as “MDDS,” and can’t move his
arms or legs or breathe unaided. His condition is terminal.
mitochondrial disease referred to generally as “MDDS,” and can’t move his
arms or legs or breathe unaided. His condition is terminal.
His parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, have raised more
than $1.8 million to bring him to the U.S. for experimental therapy.
than $1.8 million to bring him to the U.S. for experimental therapy.
However, three British courts ruled that further treatment
would cause Charlie “significant harm” if his suffering is prolonged
and that it would be in his best interest to be moved onto palliative care — in
other words, to keep him comfortable until he dies. Specialist doctors have
said the proposed US therapy wouldn’t make any difference to Charlie’s
condition.
would cause Charlie “significant harm” if his suffering is prolonged
and that it would be in his best interest to be moved onto palliative care — in
other words, to keep him comfortable until he dies. Specialist doctors have
said the proposed US therapy wouldn’t make any difference to Charlie’s
condition.
London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital says it is standard
procedure to ask courts to make a decision when parents and the hospital do not
agree about a child’s future treatment.
procedure to ask courts to make a decision when parents and the hospital do not
agree about a child’s future treatment.
The parents responded to Trump’s surprise tweet Monday by
thanking the president for his support and asking British Prime Minister
Theresa May to “do the right thing” and “save” their son.
thanking the president for his support and asking British Prime Minister
Theresa May to “do the right thing” and “save” their son.
It wasn’t clear if Trump was aware of the court rulings, or
if he was merely echoing support expressed Sunday by Pope Francis, NBC said.
if he was merely echoing support expressed Sunday by Pope Francis, NBC said.
A White House official said members of the Trump
administration, but not the president, have spoken to the parents in calls
facilitated by the British government. The official said the president wants to
be helpful without placing undue pressure on the family.
administration, but not the president, have spoken to the parents in calls
facilitated by the British government. The official said the president wants to
be helpful without placing undue pressure on the family.
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