The Greater Victoria community is rallying behind a young Sooke boy who has been denied coverage of a drug that will drastically improve his quality of life.

Dozen of parents and children gathered outside Premier John HorganB次元官网网址檚 MLA office in Langford in support of six-year-old Landen Alexa on Monday. Chants of B次元官网网址淟ove for LandenB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 abandon LandenB次元官网网址� could be heard from the corner of Jacklin Road and Lequesne Avenue, as the crowd called on the provincial government to fund a drug called Ilarus, which would drastically improve LandenB次元官网网址檚 quality of life.

B次元官网网址淲e came here today to support Jillian and Landen. We feel that Pharmacare isnB次元官网网址檛 being fair in their decision in helping Landen with the disease he has,B次元官网网址� said Sunni Anthony, who brought her three-year-old son Finlay to the rally.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an expensive medication that nobody can afford. Every child has a right to a normal life.B次元官网网址�

RELATED: Sooke boy denied $19,000 per month drug for third time

In June 2017, Landen was diagnosed with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA), a disease that causes his body to attack itself, leaving him with crippling muscle and joint pain and with virtually no immune system.

However, his current medicine is no longer working effectively, and the only option for treatment is a drug called Ilarus, which is going to cost $19,000 a month, as it is not covered by B.C. Pharmacare.

RELATED: Six-year-old Sooke boy needs $19,000 a month to treat rare form of arthritis

The show of support brought tears to LandenB次元官网网址檚 mother Jillian LanthierB次元官网网址檚 eyes.

B次元官网网址淚 hope this brings attention to LandenB次元官网网址檚 case and I hope we can sit down with Adrian Dix or John Horgan and discuss LandenB次元官网网址檚 case,B次元官网网址� she said.

Landen even made an appearance at the rally, sporting a Mighty Ducks jersey.

There are only approximately 10 children in B.C. who are battling the same disease.

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kendra.wong@goldstreamgazette.com