350,000 support UK baby’s treatment

London, July 9: The parents of a terminally-ill British baby boy on Sunday delivered a petition of over 350,000 signatures demanding they be allowed to take him to the United States from treatment.

Supporters joined 11month-old Charlie’s parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard outside London’s Great Ormond Street hospital (GOSH), calling for him to be released so he can travel to the US for experimental treatment.

The hospital said on Friday it would let the courts re-examine claims that he could be treated, citing “fresh evidence” after US President Donald Trump and Pope Francis drew international attention to the case.

The courts had ruled that keeping the baby on life support would only prolong his suffering as there was no hope of him recovering from his extremely rare form of mitochondrial disease, which causes progressive muscle weakness, including in key organs such as the heart.

The case is expected to be heard on Monday.

Speaking outside the hospital, Yates said: “He’s our son, he’s our flesh and blood. We feel that it should be our right as parents to decide to give him a chance at life.

“There is nothing to lose, he deserves a chance,” she added.