Police in Canada say they are looking for a girl who has disappeared with her parents after a court ruled she must accept a possible blood transfusion after receiving chemotherapy. The girl is 14 and has cancer (a cancerous tumour in her leg). She is a Jehovah's Witness, as are her parents. The girl does not want a blood transfusion. People who follow the Jehovah's Witness faith oppose blood transfusions.

The girl, who cannot be named, is part of an ongoing legal battle.

When a cancer patient has chemotherapy, the body is often unable to produce enough red blood cells - a blood transfusion is a common part of treatment.

The British Columbia Supreme Court ruled that doctors are authorised to give the girl a blood transfusion if her life is under threat.

Canadian police have been instructed to find the girl. The girl's lawyer says she is seeking a second medical opinion and has not gone into hiding.

The province of British Columbia does not recognize an individual of an age less than 19 to be able to make an informed consent medical decision. The Children's Aid Society was informed and did not object to the family leaving the province to get another medical opinion.