B.C. childhood cancer survivors call for specialized treatment centre

VICTORIA – A Vancouver mother whose 20-year-old daughter has fought cancer for most of her life is now fighting for the young woman’s treatment as an adult.

Carolyn Vacheresse (vah-SHER’-esse) says her daughter Danielle fought a brain tumour and survived at least 30 surgeries and experimental drug treatments as a child, but now as an adult isn’t getting the care she deserves.

Vacheresse and other families fighting for their children hit by childhood cancers were at B.C.’s legislature appealing for a specialized treatment centre to offer help once those children reach adult age.

Opposition New Democrat health critic Judy Darcy says the families are essentially left to fend for themselves after receiving years of specialized treatment at Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.

Health Minister Terry Lake says he has empathy for the suffering of the families and the government is prepared to review their concerns but he isn’t making any promises.

Vacheresse, who is the president of B.C.’s Pediatric Cancer Survivorship Society, says her blind and dying daughter was given experimental cancer drugs as an infant and the government should take responsibility and offer her care in what remains of her adult years.