(CNN) - Rick Santorum's three-year-old daughter Isabella, who suffers from a chromosomal condition called Trisomy 18, was admitted to a Philadelphia hospital Saturday.
In a statement, Santorum spokesman Hogan Gidley said the GOP presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania senator would cancel campaign events on Sunday morning.
"Rick and his wife Karen are admitting their daughter Bella to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia this evening," Gidley said. "The campaign will cancel Rick's upcoming Sunday morning Florida campaign schedule. However, Rick intends to return to Florida and resume the campaign schedule as soon as is possible."
On Sunday, Team Santorum said the candidate would remain in the hospital Sunday afternoon and that his scheduled events would proceed with surrogates.
Santorum was slated to appear on NBC's "Meet the Press" and to make stops in the state ahead of Florida's primary Tuesday.
Trisomy 18 is caused by extra material from chromosome 18, and is three times more common in girls than boys. Half of patients born with the condition do not survive past the first week of life, according to the National Institutes of Health. Patients who do survive past the first week experience serious medical and developmental problems.
On his campaign website, Santorum has a page devoted to his daughter, including a video in which the candidate describes the girl as the "center of the universe for our family."
"Our youngest daughter Isabella Maria, who we call Bella, is a very special girl who needs lot of care," Santorum says in the video. "When she was born we knew something was wrong but we didn't know what it was. It wasn't until five days later that they came back and told Karen and me that she had a disorder called Trisomy 18, which is similar to Down's syndrome."
Santorum describes feeling angry after doctors told him and his wife to prepare for Bella's death in the first days of her life.
"We're going to not focus on her dying; we're going to focus on her living," Santorum says in the video.
From CNN Politics
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This guy is stand up and totally smeared by the left (surprise, surprise). Wishing him success in the campaign and more importantly wishing his daughter and their family health and happiness.
God be with you and yours...
I hope little Bella's stay in the hospital is short, and she's back at home with her family soon.
I have to wonder how Mr. Santorum felt when at a previous GOP debate, it was basically said that it was people's own fault if they didn't have (or couldn't get or afford) health insurance–and should die. I would imagine that the health care costs of a child with Bella's condition would be high–and if Mr. Santorum was to try and get her insured without things like CHIP and others–she would be without care. Without some sort of guarantee of coverage my guess is should Bella live to 26 when she can no longer be insured by her parent's policy, she's screwed. Also, if Mr. Santorum should lose his job and need to seek coverage on the open market, without the no pre-existing conditions of the new "Obamacare" law, he'd have a very tough time. I would think that strongly Pro-Life candidates would also be pro-medical care for all.
Pretty convenient timing, not saying this is a sham just saying the timing doesn't work against him.
The outlook for Trisomy 18 is pretty grim. I'm sure they know this. I'm a dem, but they are in my prayers.
Thoughts and prayers are with your little girl and your whole family!
Best wishes that everything will be ok, and that she will have a speedy recover.
I may not agree with most of what you have to say, but I hope your child will be alright.
I am surprised! I thought fundamentalists didn't allow their children to be treated by doctors...
According to recent numbers, Rick Santorum and Gingrich do not have the supporting votes to move forward. I would like to see Rick Santorum be asked who he would like to endorse. I suggest Santorum endorse Ron Paul. Paul has the support and continues to grow.
Sending my prayers for Bella and her family. While I often disagree with Mr .Santorum, i wish nothing but the best for his family. Love for a child is universal transcends politics.
Rick and Karen, Bella will be in all our prayers tonight and at church tomorrow!
Life on life's terms
I hope ella is ok.
I may not agree with your politics...but as a parent i wish little Isabella the best as well as your family. God bless
Although, I do not share Santorum views, my prayers are with him and his family.
This is the kind of man we need in office. He doesn't have bucket loads of cash, he doesn't croon with "insiders" in Washington, he is a family man, he has problems beyond his ability that he trusts in God for. I am sick of the fillthy rich
(Romney) and the old worn out insiders (Ginkrich). We need a down to Earth man who has the people in mind and can
connect with the average Joe. Vote as you like but in the end "You get the leader you deserve".
Can't stand the guy, but your heart has to break for any parent going through this.
I may not agree with your politics, but I heartily extend my best wishes for you and your daughter.
My daughter, Kendall, lived for 42 glorious hourss. We found out when I was 19 weeks pregnant that she had Trisomy 18. Hearing Bella's story made me smile. I pray for the whole family and that she will be home soon.
I hope his daughter will be okay. My heart and prayers go out to that family. And everyone else on this post try to be polite this family is going throughlaot right now.
Rick Santorum is the political opposite of me but it's very sad for any father or family to go through such turmoil.
My thoughts and wishes go out to Bella.
Much as I dislike Santorum, I hope the best for him in this trying situation. Comes under the heading, life sucks.
Sorry typo, I meant to say "alot right now"
Best wishes for his family... Ron Paul would do very well against Obama and therefore should be nominated by the GOP. Dr. Paul is a uniter, not a divider like all other candidates. To prove this theory, I put this question forward (to all voters), DOES ANY PARTY HAVE ANY REASON NOT TO TRUST Ron Paul??? The answer is "NO". As such, this honesty is EXACTLY what this country needs. Someone to "lead" not be bought off or corrupted
As a democrat and liberal, I started with a very negative opinion of Santorum.. but not so much anymore. This guy is a very awesome human being, and while I still disagree with his stand on social issues, I'd be inclined to vote for him based solely based on how straightforward and decent this person this – not to mention, an excellent dad.
Hate to hear that. Wish her and her family well. But I ain't voting for him.
My prayers and thoughts go out to the Santorum family. Even though there are differences in belief, family is important in all of our lives! I hope Bella gets well soon!!!
Trisomy 18 is a horrible genetic defect. I feel very sorry for the child and her family and wish them well. Being angry at physicians for telling parents the truth about the prognosis for their child is pointless. Doctors don't know everything, but they do have lots of experience with T18 to go on, and statistically such children rarely live much beyond birth. Clearly the Santorums' child is an exception, but those exceptions are very rare. They gave the best information they had.
I may not agree with his positions but I sure hope the haters show some class and keep it clean – its just little girl, don't take your hate out on her or the family.
Our thoughts and prayers go to Rick and his family. I've been following him and the things he stands for. Why people havent rallied behind him with support is beyond my comprehension. This country has so few like him who are ready to stand up and serve. Of all the candidates on either side...this one has them all outmatched...in all categories but one. Money!
Remember, god gives us adversity to make us better people!
I don't much like Santorum but I hope his little girl make it through..
I'm sorry to hear that. I don't like Santorum much, but his daughter doesn't deserve that kind of pain.
thats what loving parents do. praying for Bella.
God bless all of your family!
I am definitely not a conservative, nor would I ever consider voting for Mr. Santorum, but I hope the little girl is okay.
Wishing the family the best.
I truly feel for the santorums. I have a trisomy 21 girl who had alot of severe complications when born and still goes through life. The doctors told me similar words that their hearing. Look to jesus and trust in his will and pray. Praying for your daughter and family.
All politics aside i wish only the best for bella and santorum family! God bless
This gives him some good points from me that he has a love for special kids. God bless you bella and keep fighting through!!!
The only answer for her is through prayer..not science.
You would think Palin would back another candadate that understands special needs children since she has one also.Gingrich with a mistress wife, I don't think so. I have a disabled daughter and a special needs, so I want people that understand what that is in office.A Missouri Mom
before the trolls arrive. im glad that he puts family before campaign. that is a sign of true character. and yea go ahead and comment on my grammar errors. its nice to see sincerity in this world especially between a father and his daughter.
I couldn't disagree with this guy more about pretty much everything, but I wish him and his family the best of luck. The prognosis for children with Edwards Syndrome is so bad, and this has to be a fear he's lived with every day since his daughter was born. Try to keep the politics out of this one and pull for a guy with a sick kid.
Great, he's gonna try what Obama did back it 2012
I wish she gets well and you all around her rejoice back to your lives with all the love and affection for her. Get well Isabella. Let Thy Divine do the miracle for your life and your family. May Thy God bless your family !!!!
Don't worry, the lord will fix everything.
I certainly wish the best for the poor little girl and know her parents must have endured much heartbreak over her condition. However, I wonder how her father would feel if he was like so many working class parents who cannot get health insurance for their children who have such a pre-existing condition. Yet his political views would deny those children.
Sure, if either parent is on a group plan, they can get a child covered. But if on a private plan themselves, such as the self-employed parents, they would likely be unable to get their child the quality of health care that Rick Santorum's child is receiving. However, Barak Obama's health care reform will remedy that by offering such parents a chance to buy into the insurance exchange being set up in 2014, so they can join the same pool that federal employees have if they so choose. Many private insurance companies are part of that pool, and such people who join the exchance will be able to choose from any of those companies they wish - in no way is that socialized medicine. In fact, it is not even as liberal as the universal single pay coverage that Massachusetts has.
Thoughts and prayers are with you Bella, hope that you get well soon.
Best wishes from a liberal. The family has my thoughts and respect.
While I disagree profoundly with just about everything that Mr. Santorum says & believes, I can only wish he & his family continue to find the help they will need while caring for their little girl. I also hope this hospitalization isn't for a life-threatening situation, and that she gets to come home again.
Having never heard of Trisomy 18, I googled it and that led me to Trisomy 16, and Trisomy 13 and on and on..... Wow! It's really stunning just how much can go wrong during conception and fetal development: thank your lucky stars if you have children with only the normal number of chromosomes.
Hope she is ok. Wish the family well.
As much as I disagree with your politics...but sincerely understand how difficult this is for your family. I hope she will pull through.
Hoping that your daughter gets better. God Bless.
I will pray for strength for your family, and may the doctors have the knowledge to help. Gods speed.
I'll be thinking of and praying for Bella and the Santorum family. This sort of thing transcends politics.
I wish her the very best! I also wish every child in America had access to good healthcare.
That is why women should not have children when they are middle aged, particularly if they already have umpteen other children. People involved i this sort of irresponsibility should certainly not be considered for president.
Rick, go home and take care of your child. You are wasting your time and your donors money. Take care of your family.
I hope that we can all wait until a later time to make Rick Santorum jokes, snide comments, and criticisms.
Right now, let him be a dad of a sick child, rather than the polarizing political figure that most of us know him as.
bella will be in our thoughts and prayers
Hoping she gets well!
Since Santorum has a nice government pension paid for with our tax dollars he does not have to worry about health insurance like the rest of us.
What do you think something like this would do to the average American Rick?
You don't care.
Hope she makes it out OK.
May the Lord Jesus Christ keep the baby safe.Santorum keep faith and hold on, our God will not let you down.Bella will blossom into a beautiful flower. Amen.
best wishes
Azmat
Of all the candidates I'm not voting for, I really respect Senator Santorum. My heart and prayers go to him and his family.
Best Wishes and sincere prayers for Bella's quick recovery-
The kid must have done something evil. Kids just don't get sick, right Ricky? She's being punished! Sanatorium is a nutbag.
While i do not think Santorum is the best candidate for President, his example to us all is noteworthy. He definitely has his priorities straight.
Such a heartbreaking story. Though I might be a Democrat, and not a Santorum fan or supporter politically, I am a father myself – my sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to Bella and her entire family. It's always uplifting and encouraging to hear how some parents respond with boundless hope and fierce determination when faced with such difficulty affecting their children. Stay strong, Santorum family. All the best.
Hey my name is keshia just pray ever day an nite everthing going be ok god is the key to all answers in her condition i will keep her n my prayer remember she is a angel of god an his angels is watching over her
My thoughts and prayers are with Bella and the Santorum family!
Asking for prayers for Rick Santorum's little 3 yr old daughter. She is in the hospital.
Rick I am praying for your daughter to get well, and praying for your family, I really like to hear you on the debates, we need for people like you that puts jesus first in there lives. I to love jesus and pray that you WIN this race. you have my vote you care for what the people need, I will watch for you in tx. you have allot of love to give. we need you and jesus back into the white house. GOD BLESS YOU.
This is a very sad story. Although I do not intend on voting for Rick Santorum, I wish him and his family all the best through this difficult time.
we are praying for Bella and you
are in our thoughts..
I feel by Santorum taking time off and making for his family is a VERY selfless act.It show true meaning of putting family first before politics.He got my vote! AND my prayers goes out to him and his family...AMEN!
I wish the very best luck to Bella;I shall be praying for her. May God bless her with health and a speedy recovery.
bestwisheatoher!
I may not agree with Santorum's politics, but I hope his daughter is okay. Get better Isabella <3
I wish the Santorum family nothing but my best wishes for Bella's health to improve so that she can return home to her family. Though I disagree with Rick Santorum on just about every issue, this is not the place for snark. It has got to be just about the worst thing on earth to watch your child struggle.
Oh no. I dislike Santorum, but this is awful news. I wish the best to him and his family. I actually have tears coming on a little bit. This should be an exciting time in Mr. Santorum's life, not tragic. I hope the best.
Rick, our prayers are with Bella and your family.
God Bless
Joe
My daughter has special needs and I can't imagine what the Santorum family is going through .Despite the fact that the Republican party lost me a long time ago because they would,and have cut funding for disabilites such as autisim; I will prey for Bella and the Santorum's.I will also prey that some day Republicans will have the wisdom to know the diferrence between common sense funding that helps families create productive members of society,because churches don't pay for OT,PT,or speech therapy. DAN from PA
I am sorry that their child is going through a terrible health issue. I want to be sure that we have information proving the condition. It was my understanding that this condition that is listed has a very low birth rate. Less than 3 percent. Of those most children die within hours. This is such a rare disease and so fatal are we sure this was reported correctly? There are several other genetic conditions with similar names that are viable. Trisomy 13 maybe?
I hope your daughter feel better soon. And you need to stop playing like you are a christan your action and what u speak prove that you are not.
Best wishes to the Santorum family. I hope everything is okay.
God bless your family Mr. Santorum. This country desperately needs a genuine man like you leading us. Bella needs you more at the present. I'll be praying for all of your family. I have faith that Bella will be with you at your innauguration in 2016.
Dear Mr. Santorum, my prayer is with your family during this difficult time. I would like to use the same facebook I learned from pastor Joyce this week. When fear knocks at the door, answer with faith, and you did just that.
he's lucky his family has health care. imagine if someone suffered like his daughter does but lacked health care. he doesnt care about that, he would rather other peoples' kids suffer unnecessarily
Hope she'll be ok.
This guy represents the worst in so-called Christianity. He and his wife sicken me for leaving their sick child with a nanny for weeks at a time while they campaigned for what was the biggest long-shot in history, Santorum becoming the GOP presidential nominee (let along him beating Obama). Rick, give it up and be with your dying little girl before its too late.
Best of wishes for the entire Santorum family!
God bless, and we hope that Bella gets better soon. She will be in our prayers.
God bless your daughter and your family.
My heart goes out to Bella and she should come first. Santorum suspend your campaign!
I don't like Santorum but I wish his daughter a speedy recovery
Family members are important than politics or any other thing.
It's good he has health insurance.
I hope your daughter gets better. Thanks for all your service in gov't
He did the right thing. Please pray for his daughter as I am.
I've heard of it, and I am surprised she is still alive... as they said, most children do not survive very long with the condition. I hope she is somehow an exception.
As a father myself, I can only imagine the pain involved with not knowing if your child is going to live or die. Ultimately, it's in God's hands. Our children don't belong to us. Mr. Santorum- I pray for your family and your daughter on a daily basis.
My heart goes out to the Santorum and I wish them the best.
Almost 8 years ago I was in a coma for 3 weeks after complications from a coronary procedure. The hospital was kind and supportive toward my wife, except for one doctor who felt it necessary to get her to "face reality." He told her that it was time "to make a decision," but which he meant face the fact that I was a goner and pull the plug. She replied: "My mother always said, 'where there's life there's hope.'" Like the Santorum, her focus was not on preparing for my death, but focusing on my living... fortunately for me!
God watch over ur Bella n give ya continued strength. Live life to the fullest never give up doing so. Amen
He's not the guy I want for president, but he's a good father and my heart goes out to him and his family.
My prayers are with you! May God gives you courage and wisdom to do the right thing!
thers an angel with her...she*ll b ok!
If Santorum is serious when he says, "....we're going to focus on [my daughter's] living," then he will withdraw from the race. His wife and children need him. Sometimes family has to take precedence over political ambitions. I hope Santorum has his priorities straight.
May the lord be with your family and I wish your Kid quick recovery!!
Oh, well this is so sad, I pray she gets better quick.
Live well, little girl...
Hopefully things get better for his daughter. Although, I'm a Romney supporter, I'm baffled that the more conservative part of the party does not back Santorum, as opposed to Gingrich.
My thoughts are with you Rick
I'm not a fan of her father's, but I definitely hope the poor baby gets better.
I hope Santorum and his Wife are finished having kids. Obviously with one child having a genetic disorder and another stillborn ., something is wrong.
Maybe time to think about a rational family size?
If he has to take off for his children's sicknesses, he should not be in the running. We can't afford to have a preoccupied president. This is not the time for it.
We'd see a lot more children with this disorder if Santorum gets what he really wants and bans contraception and abortion.
Keeping you and your daughter Bell in My Prayers!
I would like to offer my sincerest wishes that Bella gets well soon. Your family should always come before everything else.
My prayers goes out 2 ur daughter!
When I saw this headline, my first thought was – she had a back alley abortion.
I will be praying for Bella.
I be in with your family.
Prayers for this little girl and her family!
Hope Bella recovers soon! God Speed!
I am sorry to say this, but I would love to see Santorum's wife and daughters be raped and not be allowed to undergo an abortion.
As a father of a 7 year old with a medical condition known as Neurofibromatosis I feel for the Santorum family. Get well soon Isabel.
While the beautiful love that exist between both you and your wife brought into the world an adorable treasure beyond compare, your faith, courage, strength, and tenacious love kept your daughter, Bella's life expectancy beyond what science dictated! I now join my faith and prayers with yours, and your family, love ones, friends, and well wishers for continual peace, comfort, and healing during your hour of need.
It's times like this we put all our poltical differences aside; good luck to the Santorum family, my prayers are with you.
My prayers to her and the family. Get better soon.
I'm not a Santorum supporter, but I'm keeping Rick's daughter in my prayers.
I hope little Bella gets well soon.
I am not a supporter of Rick Santorum, but I offer my heartfelt wish that his daughter will recover. How terrible it must be to contemplate the death of one's child. It is not the natural order of things.
Santorum is lucky to have the ability to take his children to the doctor. Its ironic because he is on the campaign trail promising to remove the ability for poorer families to do the same. I hope his daughter gets better, but I wish Santorum would realize what he is doing to millions of families around the country in similar situations, just without the money to have their families properly cared for.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
We have a special son and we know what y'all are going through. Are prayers our with you and your family. Stay strong.
It's really too bad we've let religion get in the way of medical advancement.
i hope bella gets out of the hosp soon they r such special babies
Wow, that's a shame. Not a fan of Santorum by any stretch of the imagination, but noone deserves to go through that.
Medical research is what we should be spending our money on so everyone can get the best care. I also support space exploration as I think it drives technology advancements in general.
I am so sorry for your daughter and your family. I have watched you in debates and find that you are the most principled of all candidates. While I disagree with your positions you care deeply about family and faith. Thank you for being a wonderful example.
If he was such a family values man, maybe he should be at home loving his family rather than going all over and leaving them high and dry. hey though, I understand. He's a republican and family values are only good to attack your opponents.
I join my prayers with you, your wife, family, friends, and others during this time of need for healing, strength, peace, and comfort.
As much as I can understand their pain as parents, I cannot fathom the fact that they voluntarily release statements about the status of the kids without any privacy. It is pandering for votes. What's happening in his life is personal to Santorum and his family and more so to Bella. Why should they make it so publice. It looks like more for political sympathy.
Wishing Bella and the Santorum family the best.
So sorry to hear.All the best to the family and hoping for a speedy recovery for Isabella
OK, time to turn off the partisan hype for a moment. I respect that he's returning to his family and I hope his daughter gets through this crisis OK.
Political parties aside, I will pray for Rick, his family and especially his daughter. A student I worked with for two years died six months ago, at the unusual age 6, from complications related to her diagnose of Trisomy 18. This disorder is not similar to Downs Syndrome it's worse. Most babies born with this disorder do die soon after birth and if they do live they have complications such as enlarged heart, respiratory difficulty, sever mental retardation, many do not talk but do vocalize, and atrophy of muscles if they are not ambulatory. Which, in most cases, they are not. I hope her hospitalization is for nothing serious. God bless you child.
Best if wished to little Bella and the Santorum family.
Santorum has his priorities right. I'm praying for healing for Bella.
God Bless Isabella
I hope the child recovers from her present illness and lives a long happy life. May GOD,the FATHER of LIFE keep encouraging her family
Does she have insurance??