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Initial Press Release
October 10th 2007
Boobs and Bikes - Heceptin Riders Peaceful Protest
Nelson motorcyclist Maxine Cook is so angry about Herceptin funding in New Zealand she's getting on her bike to raise dust about the issue in towns and cities around the North Island.
Max is looking for other riders for her Herceptin Peaceful Protest Ride, set to leave Wellington in early March next year. Right now she wants to motivate riders, male and female, to make the commitment and start their own fundraising.
Max is 47 and says until now she's never been politically motivated enough to publicly declare her feelings on anything. The number of women dying of breast cancer has galvanised her into action.
"The lack of adequately funded treatment for breast cancer confuses and angers me to the point where I had to do something about it," she says. "I've been a motorcyclist for 32 years and I've just returned from a two month solo trip across North America where I got the idea of this protest ride."
The plan is to travel around the North Island, gathering up motorcycle riders who want to change the government's stance on Herceptin funding. The week-long ride will end at the Beehive and is timed to coincide with the outcome of the judicial review on Pharmac's funding decision.
Max says hopefully by that stage there will be enough machines to make a noise: "We plan to make it hard for politicians to ignore the wishes of the people of New Zealand who want this treatment fully funded for our women who need and deserve it."
Entrants for the event have to register by November 30th and will need to raise $950.00 per motorcycle, to cover the costs of their own ride. More detail and registration forms are available at www.herceptinriders.co.nz
Christchurch Press, Friday 12th October 2007
Herceptin funding focus of ride
By HELEN MURDOCH - The Press | Friday, 12 October 2007
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HELEN MURDOCH/The Press
ON HER BIKE: Maxine Cook, of Nelson, is planning a motorcycle ride to raise awareness of cancer sufferers' battle to raise funds for the cancer drug Herceptin.
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Nelson's Maxine Cook is getting into her pink motorcycle leathers to protest about the Government's nine-week funding of the breast cancer drug, Herceptin.
Publicising the ride coincides with today's New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation Appeal, which organisers hope will raise more than $700,000.
Cook, who returned from a two-month solo ride across the United States this month, is organising a week-long protest ride around the North Island which will end at the Beehive. She has timed the ride for early next year to coincide with the result of a February High Court review on whether Pharmac should fund the 12-month course of Herceptin.
Cook said the concept of a social protest germinated after she attended a local Herceptin fundraising evening for a Nelson breast cancer sufferer. "I left feeling upset about the whole situation and then realised there were 11 other women in Nelson in the same situation."
The motorcyclists will leave Wellington on March 6 for a week-long trip. "Primarily it's to tell the Government that the responsibility of keeping women alive should not have to rest with the community."
Karen Lloyd, of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, said about 2500 women nationally were diagnosed with breast cancer annually and 600 died.
Information on Cook's ride can be found on the website www.herceptinriders.co.nz.
Sky City
Biking for Boobs Gives Thrill at Sky City
8/03/2008
Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC)
Media Release, Auckland 8 March 2008
For Immediate Release
The Sky City forecourt resounded to the roar of motorcycles last night as the Herceptin Riders 'Biking for Boobs' Peaceful Protest Ride rolled into Auckland.
The pink bikes and riders were greeted by representatives of the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC), National MP Jackie Blue and other supporters.
The week-long Protest Ride through the North Island will highlight the government's refusal to fund the world standard 52 weeks of Herceptin treatment for women with early stage HER2 positive breast cancer. PHARMAC funds only 9 weeks of Herceptin for New Zealand women.
Nelson based Maxine Cook organised the ride over concern for the plight of women with early stage HER2 positive breast cancer who could not afford to fund extra Herceptin treatments. An avid biker, Maxine has been overwhelmed by the generous sponsorship received for the Ride from individuals, businesses and corporate organisations. 'The Ride is about two things - boobs and bikes. It's about motorcyclists getting together to enjoy some great roads in the North Island but more importantly, we're trying to make a positive difference in the lives of our HER2 positive breast cancer battlers and their families in New Zealand.'
Maxine hopes the money raised from the Ride can kick-start individual Herceptin fundraising campaigns.
The Ride ends in Wellington on Wednesday March 12 at the steps of Parliament. The Riders will present a petition of signatures gathered along the way. 'We hope there will be so many machines it'll be noisy enough to make it hard for politicians to ignore the wishes of New Zealanders who want this treatment fully funded for our women who need and deserve it,' said Max.
MPs, Maxine Cook, Herceptin Heroine Chris Walsh, Nic Russell and Anne Hayden are among the speakers at the Wellington event. Ms Hayden organised the first petition asking for 12 months Herceptin funding in 2006. A second petition was presented to parliament in 2007 and Wednesday's event will see the third petition lodged.
For more information about the event on Wednesday, contact Libby Burgess 021 990 244 or Chris Walsh 021 059 9553
Wairarapa Times Age
Herceptin riders cruise in on their way to Parliament
13.03.2008
By Jo Moir
Wairarapa riders came out in force to support the herceptin entourage that rode into town on Tuesday en route to Parliament yesterday.
Wairarapa Cancer Society manager Anna Cardno said the herceptin motorcycle riders campaign this week was organised by Nelson woman Maxine Cook in protest over New Zealand being one of only two OECD countries that doesn't provide the recommended 17 herceptin treatments for women suffering from breast cancer.
"The Government only funds three of the recommended 17, which means a cost of anywhere between $70,000 and $120,000 a year for a woman to get the treatment that is proven to work.
Gisborne Herald
Herceptin Riders blazing trail of pink
Local | Herceptin Riders | Front Photo
HERCEPTIN RIDERS: A group of motorbike riders are blazing a trail of pink around New Zealand to raise awareness about HER2 breast cancer and Herceptin. Picture by Paul Rickard
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Tuesday, 11 March 2008
By Jessica Wauchop
Email reporter
As the Herceptin Riders blaze through Gisborne today leaving a trail of pink they want one thing only -- to raise awareness about the plight of HER2 breast cancer battlers.
With the roar of motorbikes and passionate cries from riders, the group is travelling around the North Island gathering momentum and crowds to march on the Beehive on Wednesday.
Yesterday afternoon, organiser Maxine Cook of Nelson and 11 other riders stopped in Tokomaru Bay to visit breast cancer survivor Mavis Chaffey-Wyllie.
"It was heart-stopping to see all the bikes come in support," said Mrs Chaffey-Wyllie, who was diagnosed with HER2 breast cancer in November 2006.
To fund her full 17 Herceptin treatments, which cost $120,000, Mrs Chaffey-Wyllie and her husband John had to remortgage their home.
"When I first heard, I just had no idea how I would get the money. Luckily I have a very supportive husband who didn't hesitate for a second to remortgage our home.
"It was such a wonderful feeling to see the riders, and fantastic to see there is support for us that doesn't only come from our own little community."
HER2 breast cancer grows more quickly than other breast cancers, spreads more rapidly and has a higher rate of reoccurrence.
Following surgery and standard chemotherapy, across all types of breast cancer, 80 percent of women will be alive 10 years after diagnosis. In comparison, only 50 percent of women with HER2-positive breast cancer will be alive 10 years after diagnosis.
The drug Herceptin, when added to regular chemotherapy, has been proven to decrease the chances of the cancer returning by 52 percent and reduces the risk of death by 35 percent.
However, national drug funding agency Pharmac has refused to fully-fund the drug for breast cancer patients. Instead of the recommended 17 treatments, Pharmac only funds three.
"I went to a fundraiser in Nelson for a local lass who needed to pay for Herceptin, and I left feeling very confused. I didn't understand at all why the whole programme wouldn't be funded," said Ms Cook.
"I knew I had to do something and make it count, so this trip is about raising awareness.
"We have petition -- it's only a small one -- but it will be the third one presented to Government. We just need to build enough pressure."
New Zealand is one of only two OECD countries that fund Herceptin for only five weeks -- 24 of the 30 OECD countries fund a full course of 17 treatments.
"The other country that doesn't fund the full course is Poland, which is almost a third world country.
"I find it very, very offensive. What message is the New Zealand Government sending to our women?
"Mr and Mrs Average are being looked over. They are being thrown to the wolves and I want it to be stopped. . . that's why I am here.
"If the Government can fund a large scale international advertising campaign, they find the money to keep our women alive."
BCAC-SCOOP!
Herceptin Riders 'Biking for Boobs' Protest Ride
Thursday, 6 March 2008, 5:25 pm
Press Release: Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition
Wednesday 12 March 12 noon.
Herceptin Riders 'Biking for Boobs' Protest Ride
Ten pinked-out motorcycle riders, men and women, are riding through the North Island to highlight the government's refusal to fund 12 months of life-saving Herceptin for women with HER2 positive breast cancer. The riders and supporters will arrive in Auckland on Friday 7 March, 1800 hours outside Sky City where ride organiser Maxine Cook will jump from the Sky Tower at 1900 hours in bright pink overalls.
The protest ride will end on the steps of Parliament at noon, Wednesday 12th March with a multitude of motorcycles, speeches, presentation of a petition and appearances from MPs.
Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) bcac@breastcancer.org.nz
ENDS
NZPA Image 1
Motor cyclists in the Herceptin Riders "Biking for Boobs" protest ride arriving at Parliament, Wellington, New Zealand, Wednesday, March 12, 2008, after riding from Auckland. Credit:NZPA / Sophie Hazelhurst .
NZPA Image 2
Karen Sims, one of the motor cyclists in the Herceptin Riders "Biking for Boobs" protest ride arriving at Parliament, Wellington, New Zealand, Wednesday, March 12, 2008, after riding from Auckland. Credit:NZPA / Sophie Hazelhurst .
Stuff - One News
Biking for boobs at Parliament
NZPA | Wednesday, 12 March 2008
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KENT BLECHYNDEN/Dominion Post
BIKING FOR BOOBS: Bra-brandishing bikies have rolled into Parliament to deliver a petition asking the Government to fund 52 weeks of the breast cancer drug Herceptin. Left to right: protest organiser Maxine Cook and Karen Sim of Nelson.
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Advertisement
AdvertisementThe women of New Zealand deserve better.
That was the message from a crowd of pink-clad, teddy bear-touting and bra-brandishing bikies who rolled into Parliament today to deliver a petition asking the Government to fund 52 weeks of the breast cancer drug Herceptin.
In total, 35 loud motorbikes did a circuit around Parliament, many bearing more than one rider and festooned with pink lingerie and fluffy toys.
The "Biking for Boobs" protest ride has brought motorcyclists from around the country together to present a third public petition seeking extended funding of the drug.
The Government's drug-funding agency, Pharmac, funds nine weeks of Herceptin for early stage HER2 positive breast cancer.
The stance has drawn widespread criticism from sufferers of the disease and their supporters.
They say the 12-month regime is proven to be effective and is funded by 24 other OECD countries.
Many New Zealand women had mortgaged their homes or struggled with fundraising, while suffering from breast cancer, in order to raise the money required for the extra weeks.
Eight breast cancer patients have challenged Pharmac's policy in the High Court in Wellington.
About 100 people gathered at the rally on the steps at Parliament today.
Biking for Boobs spokeswoman Maxine Cook said about 1500 signatures had been collected.
Although the petition was not as large as the other two petitions, she said it was important to deliver the message.
"You only need one more straw to break the camel's back," she said.
She said New Zealand women deserved to be treated better. The Government was ignoring the plight of cancer sufferers.
She had been spurred into action by concern over a friend, who had struggled to raise the money to pay for the extra treatments, while battling a life-threatening disease, and caring for her family.
Oncologists were advising patients to pay for as many extra treatments they could afford.
Parliamentary Petition
Petition of Maxine Cook for The Herceptin Riders
Requesting that Parliament ensure that Government will provide 12 months of Herceptin treatment for women with her-2 positive breast cancer. Petition number: 2005/163
Presented by: Dr Jackie Blue
Date presented: 12 March 2008
Referred to: Health Committee
TVNZ
'Bikers for Boobs' present petition
Mar 12, 2008 7:12 PM
First there was Boobs on Bikes, now a new group, Bikers for Boobs has hit the road.
Thirty riders arrived in Wellington from Auckland, stopping at the bottom of parliament's steps and holding a protest rally.
They presented a petition calling for twelve months access to the early stage cancer drug Herceptin.
The government's drug buying agency will fund nine weeks of Herceptin but has refused to fund it for a year.
Spokeswoman Maxine Cook told those gathered that she feels let down by the government and its failure to respond to women who need the drug.
Doctors and lobby groups have criticised the decision, saying the 12 months option has proven to be effective. They say the nine-week combination treatment is unproven and based on a small sample of women in a Finnish trial.
The New Zealand Herald
'Biking for Boobs' delivers breast cancer drug message
5:00AM Thursday March 13, 2008
The protesters circle Parliament yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The women of New Zealand deserve better. That was the message from a crowd of pink-clad, teddy bear-toting and bra-brandishing bikies who rolled on to Parliament's forecourt yesterday to deliver a petition asking the Government to fund 52 weeks of the breast cancer drug Herceptin.
In total, 35 loud motorbikes did a circuit around Parliament, many bearing more than one rider and festooned with pink lingerie and fluffy toys.
The "Biking for Boobs" protest brought motorcyclists from around the country together to present a third public petition seeking extended funding of the drug.
The Government's drug-funding agency, Pharmac, funds nine weeks of Herceptin for early-stage HER2 positive breast cancer. The stance has drawn widespread criticism from sufferers of the disease and their supporters.
They say the 12-month regime is proven to be effective and is funded by 24 other OECD countries.
Many New Zealand women have mortgaged their homes or struggled with fundraising, while suffering from breast cancer, to raise the money required for the extra weeks.
Eight breast cancer patients have challenged Pharmac's policy in the High Court at Wellington.
Yesterday, about 100 people gathered at the rally on the steps at Parliament.
Biking for Boobs spokeswoman Maxine Cook said about 1500 signatures had been collected.
Although the petition was not as large as the other two, she said, it was important to deliver the message.
"You only need one more straw to break the camel's back."
- NZPA
SCOOP - Independent News
Biking for Boobs Highlights Herceptin Hardship
Wednesday, 12 March 2008, 11:42 am
Press Release: Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition
Wednesday 12 March 2008
Biking for Boobs Highlights Herceptin Hardship
The Biking for Boobs Herceptin Protest Ride rolls into Wellington today to present the third public petition asking the government to fund 52 weeks of Herceptin for early stage HER2 positive breast cancer. PHARMAC funds only 9 weeks of Herceptin for early stage HER2 positive breast cancer.
The week-long motorcycle Protest Ride through the North Island has raised awareness of the plight of women who must still fundraise and mortgage their homes to pay for more life-saving Herceptin treatments than the 9 weeks PHARMAC currently funds.
Pharmaceutical advisory body Medsafe registered the 52 week regime for use in New Zealand two years ago. The registration was based on results of the international HERA trial and was supported by data from other large studies involving over 12,000 women.
"Australia, the UK, Canada and many other OECD countries have been funding the tested and proven 12 month treatment for almost two years now," said Libby Burgess, Chair of BCAC. "New Zealand continues to drag the chain and is not doing the right thing for our women."
PHARMAC based its 9 weeks of Herceptin for early stage HER2 positive breast cancer on a single small trial involving 232 women, of whom only 54 received the treatment now funded in New Zealand. Medsafe rejected PHARMAC's 2007 application to register this shorter treatment as safe and efficacious because there was insufficient data to support it."
Oncologists are advising patients to pay for as many extra treatments as they can afford. "Women are still fundraising and mortgaging their homes on the advice of their oncologists," said Ms Burgess. "This just isn't good enough. Our Medicines Strategy says, 'New Zealanders should feel secure that the health and disability support system protects us from substantial financial costs due to ill health'. The Strategy has a stated aim of providing us with 'access to the medicines we need, regardless of our individual ability to pay, and within the government funding provided'."
"Government action is urgently needed to substantially increase funding for medicines, to give New Zealanders the standard of health care we all deserve," said Ms Burgess.
Radio New Zealand 3rd April 2008
Breast cancer patients who took the drug-buying agency Pharmac to court over funding for Herceptin say they have been vindicated.
The High Court has upheld one of the women's concerns and ordered Pharmac to reconsider its decision not to fund 12 months of treatment with the drug.
Counsel for the patients argued in court that Pharmac acted illegally and improperly in opting to fund nine weeks rather than 12 months of the drug.
Justice Warwick Gendall said Pharmac should have consulted over its key decision in mid-2006 not to fund 12 months of the drug.
In his decision, released on Thursday, he told Pharmac to reconsider and consult with speed.
The decision followed an application by eight women breast cancer patients to the court for a judicial review of Pharmac's decisions on Herceptin funding.
Pharmac sparked a bitter controversy when it chose in 2006 not to fund 12 months of treatment with Herceptin for women, opting later to go with nine weeks.
The patients challenged that, saying Pharmac pre-determined the outcome, which was driven by cost.
In his decision, Justice Gendall did not comment on the merits of the treatment options.
He rejected all but one of the patients' arguments but said Pharmac must consult openly and fairly.
Pharmac to study ruling
The patients say the decision vindicates their actions.
Their spokesperson, Chris Walsh, says it is an opportunity for Pharmac to reassess what it has done and get proper consultation underway about the 12 months.
Pharmac says it will have to study the ruling before it can say what its next step will be.
Breast cancer lobbyists and the drug's manufacturer Roche are welcoming the ruling.
The National Party says it will put pressure on Pharmac to ensure that the consultation is thorough, open and fair.
National's associate health spokesperson, Jackie Blue, says Pharmac must now go back to the drawing board.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand
Pink Magazine April 2008
Review article on The Herceptin Peaceful Protest Ride
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