Parents around the world will do anything when their childrens’ lives are at risk. However, when a child is already in the care of a hospital, it is difficult to decide that there is better treatment elsewhere. This is the dilemma that Ashya King’s parents had to dispute when their five year­-old was critically ill with a brain tumor.

Ashya’s parents tended to him day and night in the UK’s Southampton General Hospital. They wanted to trust his care, but saw him only getting worse, as his small body was massively weakened by the tumor. They were desperate, and took action. Without the consent of any UK doctor, the Kings took their son to the Proton Therapy Clinic in Prague in the Czech Republic on March 23, 2015. Most extreme last attempts at treatment end with a sad result, but not in the case of Aysha.

While an international manhunt prowled the country for his fugitive parents, Aysha received treatment, knowing it was his last option. His parents were briefly jailed for their illegal and potentially fatal actions, but it was all worth it. Aysha is now in recovery.

The Kings’ story has spread quickly throughout the UK for the triumph of their desperation, and Prime Minister David Cameron expressed how he was moved by their actions (The Washington Post). “We have saved his life,” said Ashya’s father, Brett, noting that he would do it again before thinking twice. Their love and dedication to their child truly prevailed.