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We had a fabulous opportunity to look back at everything we have achieved this year at our AGM in Auckland recently. A wonderful group of women came together from different parts of the country to share their perspectives and discuss the opportunities ahead.
Three people who are fighting to have important medicines funded for women with advanced breast cancer appeared before Parliament’s Health Select Committee hearing on 4 December to strongly put their case.
Terre Nicholson, Wiki Malton Mulholland and Malcolm Mulholland were all leaders in a march to Parliament in October, and did a magnificent job on 4 December explaining the urgent need for action. A number of Metavivors attended the hearing in support while others watched online.
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It was amazing to see so many wonderful, inspiring women march to Parliament recently to present petitions calling for funding of important medicines for advanced breast cancer. The women were joined by their whānau, family, friends and supporters on 16 October, carrying banners with strong messages and sharing powerful stories.
Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition media release, 16 October 2018
Women marching to Parliament today, to present two petitions calling for Government funding of vital medicines, have 100% support from a coalition representing more than 30 breast cancer organisations.
We note that PHARMAC reported in June 2017 that the special $3.2 million fund they set up in 2007 to fund the SOLD Herceptin trial to see
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Women with breast cancer, their family, whanau and supporters are marching to Parliament on 16 October to present petitions to MPs – calling for the funding of breakthrough advanced breast cancer medicines Ibrance and Kadcyla.
![Libby Burgess](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/libby.jpg?itok=VjP3MjB1)
Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition media release, 7 September 2018
New Zealand needs to stop treating people with advanced breast cancer as second class citizens, Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) says.
The coalition of more than 30 breast cancer-related group says a report out today by the Breast Cancer Foundation of New Zealand (BCFNZ) reveals the shockingly high mortality rates for New Zealand women compared to other comparable countries.
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The Government must increase funding for medicines desperately needed by people with breast cancer and other cancers, Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) says.
Watch this powerful video of people with breast cancer explaining why they desperately need access to medicines that are currently unfunded in NZ - to stay alive and get more time with their families: Click here to watch: What price do you put on life?
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A wealth of knowledge has been brought back to New Zealand by two Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition representatives following the Breast Cancer Trials Australia New Zealand annual scientific meeting in Australia.
Committee members Louise Malone and Fay Sowerby attended to gather the latest intelligence to contribute to BCAC’s work supporting, informing and representing women with breast cancer.