A British Columbia mother says she feels defeated after the provincial government denied funding for her son’s life-saving medical treatment in Germany.
Eight-year-old Nathan Hepburn has a rare and life-threatening brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM), where abnormal blood vessels can rupture at any time. His mother, Natasha Hepburn, says doctors in Canada have exhausted all treatment options.
A specialist in Germany, Dr. Rene Chabot, developed a breakthrough method using a medical adhesive called Obtura through transvenous embolization. He claims high confidence in curing Nathan’s case based on treating over 50 similar complex lesions.
The treatment costs up to $61,000 per session, with three to five sessions needed. The Out-of-Country Health Funding program denied the request, citing available care in Canada and labeling the procedure as unproven.
Doctors from BC Children’s Hospital and Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital wrote letters supporting the transfer, stating they can do no more for Nathan domestically.
Nathan’s grandfather, John Hepburn, Dean Emeritus of Science at UBC, criticized the decision as bureaucratic, pointing out that treatments unavailable in Canada cannot obtain Health Canada approval without access.
The family has launched a GoFundMe to cover costs, calling it their last hope.
“This is my child,” Natasha said. “His life matters.”