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Family Of 12-Year-Old Hudson Girl Seeks FDA Exception For Cancer Drug

www.change.org

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte is reaching out to the Food and Drug Administration in an effort to help a Hudson girl with a rare form of brain cancer.

The family of McKenzie Lowe is seeking permission to use an experimental treatment currently banned by the FDA.

In a letter sent this week, Senator Kelly Ayotte urged FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to grant an exception for McKenzie Lowe.

The 12-year-old girl was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor a year ago.

Her family wants to use a drug called antineoplastons, which was developed by a controversial Texas physician.

The FDA classifies it as an investigational new drug, meaning is it not available for mainstream use.

Ayotte is among the 42,000 people who have signed an online petition asking the FDA to make a compassionate use exception.

In her letter, Ayotte says the family deserves the right to explore treatment options that may help McKenzie fight her cancer.

According to the family, the FDA has already made several hundred such exemptions for the drug.

Michael serves as NHPR's Program Director. Michael came to NHPR in 2012, working as the station's newscast producer/reporter. In 2015, he took on the role of Morning Edition producer. Michael worked for eight years at The Telegraph of Nashua, covering education and working as the metro editor.
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