The following is from an active court case in British Columbia. Is this a case of our judicial system attacking a person of faith?

Since this story was written the girl has been ordered back to B.C. by the judge to undergo treatment neither she nor her parents want.

TORONTO - A 14-year-old British Columbia girl facing a court-ordered blood transfusion is asking a Toronto judge to let her seek alternative cancer treatment in New York.

A Jehovah's Witness, the teenager says having a blood transfusion is against her religious beliefs.

She and her family went to Toronto about 10 days ago to get a second opinion on her condition.

According to Justice Mary Boyd's April 11 ruling, if the girl is under the age of 19, she can't refuse transfusions if doctors determine they are medically necessary.

The teenager, who turns 15 on June 5, had a cancerous tumour removed from her right leg and underwent chemotherapy at B.C.'s Children's Hospital. Doctors at the hospital say the chemotherapy treatments can inhibit the growth of blood cells and that she may need a transfusion.

The girl and her family want to go to a medical centre in New York that offers cancer treatment without blood transfusions.

B.C. child-care workers are expected to argue at the hearing that her life is at risk.

In a statement, the family's lawyer said that claims that the girl needs urgent medical care are unfounded.

"The actions of the B.C. officials have now forced the family into Ontario courts," said Shane Brady.

Brady said the case is not about religion, but is about "the right of a capable person to decide what happens to their body."

"The courts in British Columbia have both found that the young woman is capable of deciding her medical treatment," he said. "So the question really is: When it comes to medical treatment, then who should decide: the state, the doctor, or the capable patient?"