The Shriners are stepping in to help out 6-year-old Landen Alexa.
The Sooke boy is battling a rare and potentially fatal disease known as Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.
His mother, Jillian Lanthier, has been fighting the province to get access to an effective but very expensive drug treatment.
Canakinumab, a medication that targets the specific immune dysfunction connected to Alexa’s condition, costs $19,000 per month.
So far, a panel of experts that advises Pharmacare has denied Lanthier’s request on three occasions.
Earlier this month, an 11-year-old girl did become the first in B.C. to approved for coverage.
Now Landen has been accepted to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Minneapolis that has specific experience with this condition.
The group says that he and his mother will be flown to the hospital in early April at no charge.
Landen will be assessed there during his visit.
“This is a serious second opinion that could have an affect on this child’s treatment” said Lew Rossner, a Director of the Shriners BC & Yukon Child Services Society.
“Our hospital in Minneapolis is a good match”.
Shriners will also be a part of the community fund raiser for Landen on Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 at the Sooke Community Hall. A children’s fun day will take place between 10-5pm followed by an evening dance.
Ben O'Hara
