Minnesota Boy Now Cancer Free

By Rachel Stockton

Daniel Hauser, the 13-yr old boy who fled from his hometown of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota to avoid conventional cancer treatments, completed his last round of radiation on November 6.

Hauser’s case garnered national attention last year when he made the decision, which he said was due to his religious beliefs, to stop the treatment after the first round.  He was diagnosed last January with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  As the tumor began to grow rapaciously, it began to crowd and put pressure on many of Daniel’s vital organs.

According to reports, he and his mother found an alternative remedy online that they wanted to try, to the exclusion of traditional treatment altogether. A medical neglect petition was subsequently filed in Brown County District Court; the judge took custody from Daniel’s parents.

Daniel and his mother, Colleen went on the lam in May; they returned several weeks later, promising to abide by the prescribed treatment protocol.  The case became a rallying point for those who believe the Hausers had the right to decide what treatment they wanted their son to have.

Although most states allow parents to refuse treatment based on religious beliefs, Minnesota removed a similar provision twenty years ago.

Daniel’s parents asked the court to remove the court order back in October, since they were in compliance with their physician’s recommendations.  However, the court order is still in place, and will be until a final report has been submitted by Family Services.

Immediately upon his return to Minnesota, Daniel began his dreaded chemo treatments, which ended in early September.