Funding Help Still Needed for Herceptin Patients

MEDIA RELEASE

July 2, 2007

Funding Help Still Needed for Herceptin Patients

There is still an urgent need to continue raising funds for women with breast cancer who are paying for their own Herceptin treatments, says Jacqueline Harrison, founder and coordinator of national fundraising campaign Skip for Life.

Herceptin is back in the spotlight this month as district health boards can now start funding the drug for women in an early stage of HER2-positive breast cancer. The extension to early-stage cancers is limited to nine-week courses of the drug.

Skip for Life has so far raised $10,000 for women struggling to pay for Herceptin. Jacqueline Harrison says many women are already on 12-month courses at their own expense.

Last week, she presented cheques for $3000 each to two women with breast cancer living in the Nelson region, where community support for Skip for Life has been strong.

Nelson had the biggest turnout when Skip for Life launched in April with mass skipping events. Skippers also raised funds at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch skip-ins. Organising groups are being formed for more fundraising events.

Interested people can contact Harrison to offer help with event planning.

“The website www.skipforlife.org.nz shows other ways that people can donate or support women for whom the thousands of dollars required for their Herceptin treatment is too large a burden,” says Harrison, a former nurse who lives on Auckland’s North Shore.

Liz Mitchell-designed T-shirts are for sale for $85, with $65 going towards the cause.

Westpac Bank branches will accept donations for Skip for Life. The account details are: Mairangi Bay branch, account number 03-0180-0164749-000.

People wanting to show their support for women in need of Herceptin can also consider seeking a place on the Skip for Life charitable trust board.

ENDS

www.skipforlife.org.nz

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