NH Sen. Ayotte Urges FDA To Allow Experimental Drug To Help Local Girl

HUDSON, N.H. (CBS) --- A New Hampshire politician is stepping up to help a local girl receive the medicine she needs to fight an inoperable brain tumor.

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte is urging the Food and Drug Administration to allow a 12-year-old McKenzie Lowe to continue an experimental treatment through the FDA's compassionate use program.

Last year, Lowe was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma and was given a zero percent chance of survival, but she has fought the disease for a year. Her family says that's thanks to this experimental drug not approved by the FDA.

They believe the drug therapy, spearheaded by a doctor in Texas, could be her best chance at survival.

The Lowes recently started a petition, which has been signed by Senator Ayotte and more than 41,000 people, asking the FDA to grant McKenzie an exemption.

Related: Petition To FDA

"The Lowes are fighting for their terminally-ill little girl and they deserve the right to explore treatment options that may help her continue to fight her cancer," Ayotte wrote in a letter  to the FDA Commissioner. "Whether or not a terminally-ill child is able to receive certain types of care should be a decision made by the family. I would hope the FDA would not stand in the way when no other treatment options are available for an already terminally-ill child."

There's no word yet on a response from the FDA.