Home » News » Cincinnati Right to Life Supports Treatment for Baby Charlie Gard
Parents Locked in Battle for Disabled Child's Treatment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 18, 2017 (Cincinnati, OH): British baby, ten-month-old Charlie Gard was born with a rare condition called mitochondrial depletion syndrome (MDS). When Charlie's parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, learned of their son's condition, they found a doctor in the U.S. willing to provide experimental treatment successful in similar cases.
Chris and Connie raised $1.5 million for Charlie's transport and treatment in America. But now they are battling the UK's highest courts to permit their child to receive this therapy, because Great Ormond Street Hospital has refused to release Charlie and instead filed a lawsuit to take him off the ventilator keeping him alive.
English courts and the European Court of Human Rights have sided with the hospital, ruling that Charlie should not suffer, even though there is no evidence of suffering and his parents have testified that he is not in pain. Monday, a UK judge agreed to hear new evidence in the case this Thursday, July 13th, and Charlie's parents have until Wednesday to provide it.
"Baby Charlie Gard and his parents deserve support from both the healthcare industry and judicial system to protect their right to fight for their child's life," said Paula Westwood, Executive Director, Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati. "Precious time is being lost, while this couple must battle those deeming baby Charlie's case futile and thus endangering the chance of success for living."
Bobby Schindler, President, Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network and Cincinnati Right to Life board member has been in London to advocate for baby Charlie. Bobby has met and prayed with the family (shown here):
To remain informed, see continued updates posted on Bobby's Facebook page.
Support has been rising and continues worldwide for Charlie and his parents. For example:
President Trump and Pope Francis have expressed willingness to help Charlie.
Ohio Congressman Brad Wenstrup and Arizona Congressman Trent Franks intend to introduce legislation granting lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. to Charlie and his family, and thus ensure care.
Sunday, July 9th, Charlie's parents, delivered a petition with more than 370,000 signatures asking that Charlie be allowed to go to the United States for treatment.
Even Hollywood icon Cher has expressed support for this baby's care.
And should Charlie Gard seem an isolated case, bioethicist Wesley Smith reminds us that similar conflicts have happened in the U.S. too.