Got this in an email from a 'sister', thought some of you might want to know the latest on this sad case:
~~~~~
> http://www.ab.sympatico.ca/news/Fullstories/n0418269.html
>
>April 18th 2002
>
>Alberta court to fast-track teen Jehovah's Witness blood transfusion case
>
>CALGARY (CP) - Alberta's highest court is fast-tracking the appeal of a
>Jehovah's Witness girl forced to undergo blood transfusions to treat
>leukemia. Justice Carole Conrad of the Alberta Court of Appeal said Thursday
>that a three-judge panel expects to hear and decide the 16-year-old's case
>before the teen receives more chemotherapy and blood transfusions in two
>weeks.
>
>"This is a very tragic case," Conrad told a packed courtroom.
>
>"We have a sick child as I understand it. What I'm trying to do is to get
>this in front of a panel quickly."
>
>The girl wants Alberta's top court to overturn a provincial court ruling
>granting the province temporary custody of her and ordering she undergo
>blood transfusions.
>
>The girl, who by law can't be named, has received several state-imposed
>blood transfusions and another 12 are scheduled.
>
>The girl has gone to court a dozen times in her effort to stop the
>transfusions.
>
>She maintains she doesn't want to die but that it's within her religious
>rights to refuse the medical treatment.
>
>Jehovah's Witnesses say the Bible prohibits consuming blood.
>
>The girl's lawyer, David Gnam, said his client will be "ecstatic" to hear
>that the appeal court is trying to accommodate her wishes.
>
>Gnam said the primary argument to the appeal court will be the right of a
>mature minor to make her own medical decisions.
>
>"Obviously my client would like the opportunity to get alternative treatment
>that's medically acceptable to her in terms of her conscience," Gnam said.
>
>The girl's Calgary doctors say the treatment gives her a 40 to 50 per cent
>chance of beating the cancer but without blood transfusions, she would
>likely die.
>
>The girl, who has been in remission for about a week, became ill in hospital
>Wednesday with an infection and a fever. Her immune system is extremely low
>and any illness can be dangerous.
>
>The two-month battle has split the girl's family, with her mother and two
>sisters giving their support to refuse transfusions, while her father
>consents to the blood treatment. The family moved from Belleville, Ont., to
>Calgary three years ago.
>
>Last week, a Court of Queen's Bench denied the girl's appeal to overturn the
>provincial court ruling.
>
>Outside court Thursday the girl's father told reporters that he is
>financially broke from the legal battle and has set up a trust fund for his
>lawyer's fees.
