Abraham Starchild Cherrix, a teenager diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, who went through three months of chemotherapy only to have the cancer return months later. When his doctors recommended more chemotherapy and radiation, Cherrix, with the support of his parents, refused. Cherrix was concerned about the toxic effects of chemotherapy and radiation. He had chosen alternative therapies involving a bible-based diet and Hoxsey formula involving herbs and nutrition.
When Cherrix, who is now 16, said thanks but no thanks to the team of doctors recommending chemotherapy and radiation, a state social worker stepped in, filed with the court to gain joint custody of Cherrix and asked the court to require the teen to undergo standard cancer treatments of chemotherapy and radiation. Last Friday, the judge ruled in favor of the state and against the wishes of Cherrix. The court ordered Cherrix to report to the hospital for treatment.
To this Cherrix said he would defy the court order. He was not going to the hospital and he was not going to submit himself to conventional cancer treatments. Today, a second judge set aside the court order and returned legal custody of Cherrix to his parents. Cherrix is not, at this time, required to report the hospital. A trial date has been set for August 16 that seeks to require Cherrix to undergo chemotherapy and radiation.
Do you think the state has gone to far into the private life of a family, or do you think the parents are being negligent? Does a teenage boy of 16 have a right to decide his medical care?
