BCAC and Lung Foundation NZ media release, 3 May 2019
A range of health groups including Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) are calling on members of the public to sign petitions that will presented to Parliament on 7 May. They call for medicines to be funded that will help New Zealanders live longer, healthier lives and reduce extreme suffering.
“We need kiwis to support other kiwis who often can’t stand up for themselves because they are too unwell,” BCAC committee member Louise Malone says.
“This is a real opportunity for people to say to the Government that the time for proper funding of medicines is now.”
The groups will march to Parliament, starting at Wellington Library then to PHARMAC for a candle lighting ceremony in commemoration of those who have gone before. Once they reach Parliament, the petitions will be accepted by MPs.
The petitions call for dramatically improved medicines funding to provide the care that people with a range of serious illnesses need.
“The medicines are desperately needed,” Lung Foundation New Zealand CEO Philip Hope says.
“If everyone knew the suffering that people go through with these diseases, most wouldn’t hesitate to sign the petitions.”
The groups are Lung Foundation New Zealand, Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition, Ovarian Cancer New Zealand, Myeloma New Zealand, Pompe New Zealand and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Advocates New Zealand.
The eight petitions:
Breast cancer: Go to www.parliament.nz and search for Emma Crowley. https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_87731/petition-of-emma-crowley-for-breast-cancer-aotearoa-breast
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_87734/petition-of-neil-graham-for-chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia
Lung cancer: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_86322/petition-of-philip-hope-for-lung-foundation-new-zealand
Lung cancer – non-small-cell lung cancer: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_85074/petition-of-jeffrey-chan-ask-pharmac-to-fund-osimertinib
Multiple myeloma: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_87691/petition-of-dj-whiting-fund-lenalidomide-for-patients
Ovarian cancer: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_87690/petition-of-rachel-brown-for-ovarian-cancer-new-zealand
Pompe disease: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_87694/petition-of-allyson-lock-for-the-new-zealand-pompe-network
Media contact:
Ali Tocker
Communications Advisor
Email: alison@alisontocker.com
Phone 027 211 2159
3 May 2019
