A nine-year-old girl suffering from a terminal illness will continue receiving her crucial medication, as the B.C. government reassesses its previous decision to withdraw funding for the drug. This assurance came from the province’s Health Minister on Tuesday.

The girl in focus, Charleigh Pollock, is afflicted with a neurological ailment known as Batten disease. This condition subjects the young girl to frequent severe seizures, loss of mobility, and is set to shorten her lifespan drastically.

According to her family, Charleigh’s condition has been remarkably stabilized and her life quality has significantly improved since 2019, all thanks to a drug named Brineura. However, the drug comes with a hefty price tag, the annual cost for bi-monthly infusions amounting to about $1 million.

Earlier this month, the family received news that the province planned to discontinue funding for the drug, with the last covered infusion slated for February 27. This decision was met with strong public backlash, leading to a review of the decision by the province.

On Tuesday, Health Minister Josie Osborne confirmed that Charleigh would continue to receive drug coverage while the matter was under review. “It’s very important to me that all the facts of this case are reviewed,” said Osborne, adding that new information provided by the family and the physician is being considered in the decision-making process.

Charleigh is currently the only child in B.C. receiving this drug. Her mother Jori Fales, in an earlier interview, mentioned that losing access to the medication would be disastrous for her daughter, leading to recurrent seizures and organ failure.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for those wishing to financially support the family during this challenging time.