Herceptin - Against Breast Cancer

In 2005 the landscape for cancer treatments was changing with the development of newer targeted therapies, which were demonstrating significant longer-term survival rates for patients.

Globally, health funders were introducing these new evidence based therapies as the gold standard of treatment, but they were not available in New Zealand.

Working alongside the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition here in New Zealand, my story brought the issue into the spotlight, attaining a high level of media exposure in NZ, the UK and Ireland including sole features on TVNZ Close Up, news features on TV1, TV3 and Prime News, extensive radio and print media coverage, estimated commercial value of $250K.

We gained acceptance by health professionals, researchers, providers and officials, as we collaborated and advocated strongly for the therapies to be made available on the public health system.

Our coordinated campaign efforts resulted in the funding being introduced in 2008.