Mr. Speaker, Kaysen and Harper are toddlers living in my riding and the neighbouring riding. Both suffer from spinal muscular atrophy, a rare disease that usually ends a life by age two. However, Novartis has created a miracle drug called Zolgensma. One shot stops the disease dead in its tracks. The problem is it is a brand new drug, it is $3 million per treatment, and the governments was not covering it.
Both families started fundraising. Ryan Reynolds, also known as Deadpool, even donated, but $3 million is a lot of money. An angel donor stepped in to donate the money for Harper, and then Novartis came in and said it would cover the cost for Harper as well. Harper's family took the money and passed it on to Kaysen's family so that he would be covered as well. Now, six months later, both toddlers are doing great.
I want to thank Ryan Reynolds, all the donors, Novartis and especially the angel donor who helped save their lives. I thank them all, and God bless everyone.