A B.C. mother says she will do anything to help her son get treatment overseas.
Natasha Hepburn describes her eight-year-old son, Nathan, as a happy, loving child who dreams of growing up. But he was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening brain condition called arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in 2021. Despite treatments, the lesion remained unstable, leading to aneurysms and severe complications.
In 2023, Nathan underwent emergency surgery in Toronto that saved his life, but the condition persisted. Now, his family is seeking a specialized treatment developed by Dr. Rene Chabot in Germany, which uses a unique embolic agent to stop bleeding.
The procedure could cost up to $61,000 per session, and Nathan may need multiple treatments. His doctors have applied for funding from the B.C. government, but the process is slow.
Hepburn says she fears for her son’s future, knowing he could lose his life at any moment if the lesion ruptures. She is determined to act, despite the financial strain.
"Every child deserves the chance to grow up," she said.