World Mourns Death of Incurable British Baby Charlie Gard

Infant suffered from a rare genetic condition

Charlie Gard
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 24: Supporters of terminally ill baby Charlie Gard protest outside the High Court before the verdict was announced on July 24, 2017 in London, England. The five-month legal battle over Charlie Gard's future treatment ended after a US neurologist said that it was now too late to give him treatment. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

After a battle with a rare genetic condition (and the British legal system), 11-month-old Charlie Gard has died.

Charlie captured the world’s attention when his parents — Chris Gard and Connie Yates — sought treatment for their son’s mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, a rare illness that deteriorates the muscles. CNN reported that Charlie is only the 16th person in the world to be diagnosed with the condition.

Unable to find the medical care that Charlie needed in their native U.K., the parents sought treatment in the United States. However, both the American hospital — where the infant would receive treatment — and the U.K. High Court decided to remove him from life support, believing  treatment would not save his life. Charlie died at his home on Friday, one week before his first birthday.

Many people, including President Trump and the Pope, have weighed in on Charlie’s case.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/881875263700783104

And following his death, a groundswell of supporters, including Pope Francis, took to Twitter to express their sadness, as well as condolences to the parents.

https://twitter.com/0075591/status/890995313300910080

https://twitter.com/Daisy49103/status/890994817559388161

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