5-year-old cancer patient to continue chemo treatments after judge’s order

Family loses child chemo lawsuit in Wright Co

A family fighting to avoid additional rounds of chemo treatments for their son with leukemia has lost their lawsuit fighting to use more natural remedies. FOX 9’s Paul Blume has the detailed updates.

Introduction

WRIGHT COUNTY, Minn. (FOX 9) – A Minnesota judge has ruled a 5-year-old boy at the center of a custody and medical care dispute must continue with an extended chemotherapy regimen to fight off a potentially deadly form of leukemia.

Judge’s Ruling

The judge sided with the medical experts over the child’s parents, and ordered Keaton Peck to remain in the custody of Wright County Child Protection during his ongoing treatments.

Parents’ Opposition

Peck’s parents continue to maintain the treatment is too invasive and too painful for their son and they have sought to try alternative therapies.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Peck was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, an extreme, aggressive form of cancer attacking his white blood cells last December. His doctor, Nathan Gossai of Children’s Minnesota testified at trial that without immediate intervention, the boy would have died. That treatment regimen included chemo.

Side Effects and Impact

And while it was successful in beating back the cancer, Keaton’s mom and dad were sick about the side effects and impact on the boy’s weakened body.

Treatment Protocol and Survival Rate

Dr. Gossai testified the nationally accepted treatment protocol for this form of leukemia includes up to a two-and-a-half year commitment with high-level medical intervention and continued chemo so the cancer does not return. He reported, the survival rate is 93.1% when the regimen is followed completely.

Parents’ Beliefs and State Intervention

But Keaton’s parents, McKena Peck and Troy Verm have said, given the success of the initial treatment and their naturalist beliefs, they would rather try alternative remedies going forward. Peck and Verm have promised to keep up with cancer monitoring and are prepared to reevaluate should the leukemia return. The state stepped in when they balked at continuing with chemotherapy, stripping them of their custody rights out of concern for the child’s well-being. Keaton’s grandmother has served as a foster guardian with his parents still allowed to reside with and care for the boy.

Judge’s Final Ruling

In her final ruling in the case, Wright County Assistant Chief Judge Elizabeth Strand writes, “When watching Ms. Peck and Mr. Verm testify about their boy, it was very clear they want him to live. They do not want him to die. And they do not want to watch him endure the side-effects of chemotherapy treatment. They are in an untenable situation. However, it is this court’s determination that the best way to ensure they will always have their boy, is to order Keaton to complete the recommended chemotherapy protocol.”

Disposition Hearing

A follow-up disposition hearing is scheduled for July 27.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses a custody and medical care dispute involving a 5-year-old boy with leukemia. The issues of access to medical treatment and the parents’ opposition to chemotherapy are connected to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The article also highlights the involvement of child protection services, indicating a potential concern for inequality in access to healthcare, which is relevant to SDG 10.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

The article highlights the need for continued chemotherapy treatment for the boy with leukemia to fight off the potentially deadly disease. This aligns with SDG 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment. Additionally, the involvement of child protection services and the court ruling suggest a concern for ensuring the well-being and inclusion of the child, which relates to SDG 10.2.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.4: Mortality rate from non-communicable diseases
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of the population covered by social protection systems

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, progress towards SDG 3.4 can be measured by monitoring the mortality rate from non-communicable diseases, such as leukemia. For SDG 10.2, the proportion of the population covered by social protection systems can be used as an indicator to measure progress in promoting inclusion and reducing inequalities in access to healthcare.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: fox9.com

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