Herceptin Petition Response 'Awesome'

Advocacy group the Herceptin Heroes offers heartfelt thanks to the more than 27,000 New Zealanders who signed the Mandy Carter Herceptin Petition presented to Parliament today. Herceptin Heroes women are HER2 positive breast cancer sufferers.

Herceptin Heroes Chair Anne Hayden brought the first Herceptin Petition to Parliament in 2006 with over 18,000 signatures. 'It is so unfortunate that another petition was necessary,' said Ms Hayden. 'I congratulate Nick Smith and Mandy Carter for the sterling job they've done collecting such an awesome number of endorsements for the value of New Zealand women's lives!'

The Petition asked that '.the Government provides 12 months of Herceptin treatment, the proven international standard of care, for women with early HER2 positive breast cancer to ensure their best possible chance of survival.' On PHARMAC's recommendation the DHBs only fund a 9 week treatment course for New Zealand women.

Ms Hayden wished to pass on her thanks to 21-year-old Jennifer Lucas from Hamilton who acquired over 8,000 signatures in one week. 'That is simply wonderful,' said Ms Hayden.

The Herceptin Heroes can only hope that the Labour government will respond positively to the Petition. 'May the Labour government do something about the Herceptin issue,' she said, 'and when National are in government, may they remember their proactive stance and support for the funding of Herceptin for 12 months, the internationally accepted and medically proven standard of care for our women.'

About Herceptin Heroes

Herceptin Heroes is an informal group of women who are HER2 positive breast cancer sufferers. The group is a member of the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC).

Herceptin (Trastuzumab) is a monoclonal antibody which targets and attaches itself to the HER2 protein on breast cancer cells, thereby stopping its messages to tumour cells to aggressively grow and spread. It also stimulates the body's natural immune system to fight back.

ENDS

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