Why can't our early-stage HER2+ women get the treatment they need?

South Island Run

Regrettably, and somewhat unbelievably, PHARMAC have again declined to fully fund Herceptin for early stage HER2+ breast cancer fighters. They are, instead, insisting on clinging to their internationally recognised MINORITY POSITION. They will continue with their current position, of allocating just 0.02% ( a fifth of one percent) of their budget to funding cancer drugs in general (Herceptin is in there, somewhere, in miniscule form) and spending a full 8% - SEVENTY FIVE POINT FIVE MILLION DOLLARS - on drugs to treat tummy upsets caused mainly through overeating, under-exercising, smoking and drinking.

Nevertheless, women are still continuing to die unnecessarily. Families are still being ripped to pieces by this disease, and in the face of PHARMAC's relentless disregard for human life at a critical level of intervention, the fight to save our women affected by breast cancer ABSOLUTELY MUST continue.

The randomness of this cancer is truly terrifying. It could be any woman next. It could be YOU! Or someone you love, if it isn't already.

So...

Get on your bikes and RIDE!

Our next big Herceptin Riders run will be in the coming Summer, in February 2008. This ride will have, as its focus, the message of the critical life-saving strategy of Early Detection, and the need for communities to keep pulling together to take the responsibility the govenment has clearly abdicated for keeping its breast cancer sufferers alive.

The ride will tour the South Island, again for a week, departing and returning to Christchurch. Dates and details will be posted here as they are fully confirmed.

This ride was originally planned to take place in October 08, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in line with the run-up to the general election.

However - National have stood up and promised that they will fund the full course if they get elected. That means that we have indeed lent considerable weight to achieving the aim of getting this issue on the political table, and since National have now publicly stepped Labour out on it, there is no compelling need for us to do so in our smaller way. Our focus, now, is on the women themselves, and their families - the people at the coal face of fighting this disease - and how we can help keep them safe.

Please contact Max Cook via this email if you want to hear more about what's happening, and would like offer your support.