• :
  • Member Center
  • :
  • Make This Your Home Page
  • :
  • Special Offers




LOCAL NEWS

HomeCenter
JobNews
Autos
Comments | Recommended

Local family trying to transport daughter to China are on their way

04:03 PM EDT on Thursday, July 10, 2008

WHAS11 coverage

Interview with Hailey's mother after they arrive back in Louisville

5-year-old with fatal condition, denied flight to China, arrives home in Louisville Saturday night

Do you think the airline was right not to allow Hailey to fly to China?

(WHAS11) - UPDATE: Hailey Goranflo and her mom are finally on their way to China right for what they hope is a medical procedure that will prolong their daughter's life.

 

The 5-year-old has batten's disease, a rare and fatal condition.

 

In June, the family's trip to China ended when airline officials in Vancouver refused to let them fly.

       

They said Hailey was too sick.

           

She and her mother flew out of Chicago Tuesday afternoon on a non-stop flight to China.

           

Once in China, Hailey is expected to undergo seven weeks of treatment for a stem cell transplant.

           

Her 3-year-old brother, Carter, also has batten's disease.

           

He’s expected to receive stem cell treatment in China next month.

PREVIOUS STORY:

Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11) - A Louisville family will try once again today to fly to China so their daughter can get life saving surgery.

Hailey Goranflo has Battens Disease which is a fatal condition that can be treated using stem cells in China where it’s legal.

An airline in Canada wouldn’t let the family board on the last try so they’ll try again this afternoon with Hailey expected to undergo seven weeks of treatment.  

Her three-year-old brother Carter, who also has the disease, will be treated in China next month.

They know not everyone agrees with their decision but they hope people will understand.

“Were as prolife as they are we love our children and would do anything for them,” says Hailey’s father Neil.

“I think they would change heart if they had two dying children, I doubt they would let them just die,” says Hailey’s mother Miranda.

Miranda and Neil say that stem cells are not a cure for Battens Disease but it can stop the progression and reverse damage.

Do you think the airline was right not to allow Hailey to fly to China?


how could you deny someone so innocent of getting treatment to save their life that is cruel and unjustified.. people in this world now days are horrible..


I think it's a darn shame that they have to go all the way to China to get treatment for the girl.


I do not know the family but if it were my child I would of done exactly as they did, your children are the most important things on earth and you would do anything to help them, and keep them safe no matter what and for all of you people who think they were wrong must not have children, my child was born with some medical issues and we go out of state for treatment every 6 months not as far as China, but if it were the only place wiling to help my child you best believe I would be there too, Good luck to your beautiful children I will be praying for them (and you too)


Embryonic stem cells (ES) cannot be used directly in therapy because they cause cancer. Indeed, one laboratory test for ES cells is to inject them into mice and analyse the teratoma (a tumour formed of foetal tissue) that arises. So any therapeutic applications will require scientists to drive the ES cells differentiation into particular specialised cells for transplantation into patients rigorous screening will be required to make sure no ES cells are still present. - Scientific American
The mother said China was (said it was) giving Hailey ES injections. Either they were lying or she will get tumors. No where in world is anyone legitimately using ES for therapies - you'll note the unidentified clinic hasn't published results.
ClinicalTrials.gov lists ongoing recruitment for Battens. Too bad the family believed the ES hype and sent their beloved child to the same country that puts lead in toys.


They should have allowed them to fly to China. Her parents are trying to do everything they possibly can for her. Her parents are doing what most parents would do if they were in the same situation.


Carter was 6 weeks old when Hailey had her first seizure, so to the moron who said stop it already, why don't you do some research before you share your ignorant views. Hopefully Hailey will come home with improved motor skills and be able to smile again. When Carter gets to go I hope his life also improves. Poor little darlings, everyone should wish them well and not pour negative energy out there.


They had all the documentation from doctors allowing Hailey to fly and the parents signed a waiver so the airlines would not be liable if she died so I think they were wrong


i think if it will save her y not try to save we got mony for aotherthing like aother builer but not for her thas craze kids should come frist


i think if it will save her y not try to save we got mony for auther thing


I know Miranda & Neil & I absolutly loveeeee Hailey and carter! they are beautiful kids,I feel those **** Canadians need to go to ****!!! cuz thats crap! she needed to get there!
just to let everybody know She had a doc note and everything how would YOU feel if your child was sick an them **** people did that to your kid.
Hailey im prayin for you baby!


Being a single parent of two I can put myself in their shoes U would do anything to save your childs life. Question should be was the airline perpared to take care of the child if something would happen in flight, was a medical doctor traveling with the family to be able to assist if needed? What about equipment? Everything happens for a reason, its how u take it and what u do that counts. My prayers is with this family


If this was my child and the US offered no other treatment I would do everything in my power to get there as soon as I could with this child. The airlines was wrong! Best wishes all!


Just another example to prove that the almighty dollar takes first choice. The child needs medical care and this airline thats swimming in money has no heart. I will never choose to fly with them, and I will make sure my family/friends dont as well.


i know these people and they are good people. they didn't know that their oldest was sick until after the youngest was born. i watched this girl play with my daughter before she became sick. for all you people suggesting that they should stop i hope that you are all sterile and if you have children i would like to see you in their shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


The mother provided a release to the airlines and they should not have refused to transport


I personally know this family and their grandparents, you would do the same if it was your child. As far as saying 2 children with the same fatal disease, stop it, for your information they didn't know the little girl had this disease until they already had the little boy. Shame on you for being so judgemental.


Flight records and plans should have been reviewed.Futhermore they were delayed anyway despite thier efforts it wasn't the airlines place. So since when did we have resident airline doctors, and are they cheaper ? Like do we get a exam with a flight as well as a meal..


i think it was a very cruel and heartless thing to do for that poor child. What kind of people are these. Have they no morals or sympathy? You can bet if it was one of their children they would have already been jetted over there by now with no problem.


I think the airline is stupid for not letting that child on that plane. of course she is going to look sick but thats is why they are trying to get to china so she can get better and live a normal little girls life!! I just think that the people that dosent have the joy of having a child dosent know the time and love you put in your childs life to make sure they are healthy and taken care of. If they dont have childern then i dont think they understand the extent of what you will do for your childern!!


I personally feel if the doctor said she was okay to fly they should have let her on the plane. Airlines are not doctors and do not know anything about the girl. As far as you rude people on here making comments in regards to the parents that have two kids with that disease and how they need to stop it already. I am sure they had no idea both of their children were going to be born with this. You should be praying for this family instead of saying nasty things. I don't understand peope these days!!

Advertisement

Forums, Photos & More

Browse: Visit Web sites mentioned on our newscast in our NewsLinks section.

Today in Pictures: A daily slideshow of the top news photograpy.

Sound off: Make your opinion known in our online surveys.

Discuss: Debate politics and the news behind the headlines in our discussion forums.

Popular Stories