Fact Check: Charleigh Pollock is the only person in B.C. with CLN2 disease.

Fact Check: "Charleigh Pollock is the only person in B.C. with CLN2 disease."

What We Know

Charleigh Pollock, a 9-year-old girl from Vancouver Island, suffers from neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2), a rare and terminal genetic disorder also known as Batten disease. Reports confirm that she is indeed the only known patient in British Columbia (B.C.) diagnosed with this specific form of the disease. The B.C. government has stated that Charleigh is the only person in the province receiving treatment for CLN2, which involves a costly medication called Brineura, priced at approximately $1 million per year (CBC, Times Colonist, Vancouver Sun).

The disease is extremely rare, with fewer than 20 children in Canada diagnosed with any form of Batten disease, and Charleigh is the first Canadian patient to meet the criteria for discontinuation of Brineura coverage due to the progression of her condition (Capital Daily, Global News).

Analysis

The claim that Charleigh Pollock is the only person in B.C. with CLN2 disease is supported by multiple credible sources. The B.C. Health Ministry has explicitly stated that Charleigh is the only child in the province diagnosed with this specific condition (CBC, Times Colonist). Furthermore, the rarity of CLN2 is emphasized by the fact that it affects fewer than 20 children across Canada, highlighting the uniqueness of her case (Vancouver Sun, Capital Daily).

The sources used in this analysis are reputable news outlets, including CBC, Times Colonist, and Vancouver Sun, which are known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards. The information provided by these sources is consistent and corroborated by statements from health officials, which adds to the reliability of the claim.

However, it is essential to note that while Charleigh is the only known case in B.C., there may be other patients with CLN2 in other provinces or territories, as the disease is recognized as extremely rare. This nuance is important but does not detract from the accuracy of the claim regarding her status in B.C.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The assertion that Charleigh Pollock is the only person in B.C. with CLN2 disease is accurate, as confirmed by multiple credible sources and official statements from the B.C. Health Ministry. The rarity of her condition further supports this claim, making it a unique case within the province.