Herceptin Decision: Heartfelt Thanks

December 15th, 2008

Heartfelt Thanks

Following the announcement of the National Government to fund 12 months Herceptin treatment for early stage HER2 positive breast cancer, Skip For Life rejoices.

It has been a long and tiring road for the many NZ women who were forced to fundraise in order to gain access to 12 months Herceptin treatment, in their fight against their particularly aggressive breast cancer. Skip For Life salutes the terrific courage taken, to fundraise for this treatment. At times, it seemed that the target would never be reached. You kept going and we acknowledge you for that. For the women we met and assisted, our efforts were welcomed. However, there were also women whom I had approved as meeting our criteria for funds that we were unable to assist with financial contributions, simply because we didn't have enough resources to go around. To me, this is a tragedy.

The fact that all New Zealand women diagnosed with early HER2 positive breast cancer today, tomorrow and in the weeks and months ahead will receive the internationally recommended 12 months Herceptin treatment at no cost to themselves, leaves me deeply moved. I am absolutely thrilled and like all of the women requiring this treatment, I too am relieved.

Skip For Life will continue to exist as a charity so that men, women and children who require assistance to fundraise for potentially lifesaving cancer treatments, in the future, will receive support, empowerment and partnership in their endeavours.

A special thanks to Liz Mitchell - leading fashion designer for designing our popular T-shirt which raised much needed funds. Also, thanks to Gopher - online business directory for their fantastic support. Thank you also goes out to AUT University School of Hospitality and Tourism - Events Management for your support and ongoing assistance to design and produce effective awareness raising campaigns. A big thank you goes out to WebGurus - the people for all your website needs. Thank you also to Consultz International Ltd for providing office space, telephones and other vital resources which made our day to day running possible. A huge thank you goes out to all the media who provided support through various mediums, which highlighted our cause. Thank you also, to the fantastic students from AUT who assisted us with our events. Finally, thank you to the families, friends, work colleagues and other support persons who stood by our recipients working tirelessly to ensure that their loved ones received every treatment, every three weeks for as long as you were able to provide the funds. You are true heroes!

Thank you to the National Government for prioritising the funding of 12 months Herceptin treatment. Thank you also to the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) for assisting us to inform people about our events and for providing up to date information.

Thank you to Fraser Robertson for building our initial website and maintaining the content for 18 months. I will always cherish your founding support and commitment to the cause.

Please do check in on our website from time to time to find out what we are doing next.

Yours faithfully

Jacqueline Harrison RCpN, BN

Founder and Trustee - Skip For Life

www.skipforlife.org.nz

ENDS

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