Latest news with #BreastCancerFoundationNZ
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
17,096 Kiwis Call For Urgent Action To Fund Keytruda For New Zealand's 'deadliest Breast Cancer'
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is proud to support Auckland woman, Catherine Cooke, as she presents her petition to MP Hon. Mark Mitchell, urging the Government to fund the cancer drug Keytruda for early stage triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Catherine is presenting the petition at Breast Cancer Foundation NZ office in Parnell on 27 June at 2pm. The level of support for this petition is significant and shows New Zealanders are fed up with falling behind the rest of the world in terms of access to life-saving treatment. Catherine was diagnosed with early TNBC, an aggressive form of breast cancer in November last year after her yearly mammogram. She was told Keytruda with chemotherapy would give her the best chance of survival – but the drug would only be funded if her cancer was advanced. Instead, Catherine has had to put most of her work on hold and sell her family home to fund the treatment - which is costing around $85,000. Around 350 women are diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer every year, which is approximately 10% of all breast cancer diagnoses. It is also more common in younger women with nearly 15% of diagnoses in women under the age of 45 being triple negative. For one in three women with early triple negative breast cancer, it will return and become incurable within five years. It is the deadliest form of breast cancer and is harder to treat. Unlike most other breast cancers, triple negative breast cancer doesn't respond to hormone-blocking treatments and targeted drugs. Keytruda is an immunotherapy drug, and it is the only targeted treatment that works to fight triple negative breast cancer and is given to patients alongside chemotherapy. It's fully funded in 40 other countries including Australia, Canada and Britain. New international research was published last year and showed that Keytruda can stop women dying from triple negative breast cancer because it's highly effective at preventing cancer coming back. Patients with early triple negative breast cancer receiving Keytruda in a clinical trial were 34% less likely to die and 32% less likely to have their cancer spread beyond the breast. It is widely accepted by the medical community internationally as the best drug to treat early triple negative breast cancer and New Zealanders deserve access to this treatment. Breast Cancer Foundation NZ Chief Executive, Ah-Leen Rayner said 'women like Catherine are having to go through drastic lengths to be able to pay for Keytruda. It's atrocious that New Zealanders are selling their homes, asking for help from their parents or complete strangers to find hundreds of thousands of dollars, or potentially simply going without treatment that could save their lives. 'We are so grateful to Catherine for working tirelessly for better drug access for New Zealanders in the future, but she shouldn't have to. We're urging the government to ensure Pharmac has the budget it needs to fund these essential medicines that are standard of care around the world.'
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Over $6,000 Raised For Breast Cancer Foundation NZ At Pink Ribbon Breakfast
Press Release – ACT New Zealand The event was co-hosted by Tmaki MP Brooke van Velden and Epsom MP David Seymour with proceeds supporting research, education, and patient care across New Zealand. More than 100 people gathered this morning to support breast cancer awareness at a Pink Ribbon Breakfast at Ōrākei Bay this morning, raising over $6,000 for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. The event was co-hosted by Tāmaki MP Brooke van Velden and Epsom MP David Seymour with proceeds supporting research, education, and patient care across New Zealand. 'This is a cause that touches thousands of Kiwi families every year,' said van Velden. 'It's great to see so many people from our community come together to support such an important cause.' 'Every dollar raised helps fund better outcomes for people facing breast cancer. We're grateful to everyone who came along and contributed,' said Seymour. 'A huge thank you to our guest speaker Jude Dobson, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ ambassador, for joining us and sharing her perspective. We're also incredibly grateful to the Foundation's experts who gave up their time to answer questions and engage with attendees. Their presence made the event truly meaningful.' The breakfast was made possible thanks to the generosity of local businesses. Collective Hospitality provided the stunning Ōrākei Bay venue free of charge, ensuring that all proceeds could go directly to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Function Staff, Insphire, and The Revelry also generously donated their services.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Over $6,000 Raised For Breast Cancer Foundation NZ At Pink Ribbon Breakfast
More than 100 people gathered this morning to support breast cancer awareness at a Pink Ribbon Breakfast at Ōrākei Bay this morning, raising over $6,000 for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. The event was co-hosted by Tāmaki MP Brooke van Velden and Epsom MP David Seymour with proceeds supporting research, education, and patient care across New Zealand. 'This is a cause that touches thousands of Kiwi families every year,' said van Velden. 'It's great to see so many people from our community come together to support such an important cause.' 'Every dollar raised helps fund better outcomes for people facing breast cancer. We're grateful to everyone who came along and contributed,' said Seymour. 'A huge thank you to our guest speaker Jude Dobson, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ ambassador, for joining us and sharing her perspective. We're also incredibly grateful to the Foundation's experts who gave up their time to answer questions and engage with attendees. Their presence made the event truly meaningful.' The breakfast was made possible thanks to the generosity of local businesses. Collective Hospitality provided the stunning Ōrākei Bay venue free of charge, ensuring that all proceeds could go directly to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Function Staff, Insphire, and The Revelry also generously donated their services. Breast Cancer Foundation NZ relies on the support of community events like this one to fund life-saving initiatives. Donations can still be made at
Otago Daily Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Breakfasts hosted to give support
PHOTO: NIC DUFF Oamaru had a tinge of pink yesterday. Fat Sally's Bar and Restaurant and Del Mar restaurant hosted Pink Ribbon Breakfasts to raise money for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. More than 100 people in total dressed in their best pink outfit to attend the events. Among those at Fat Sally's are (from left) Leigh Petrie, Kelly Roger, Fiona Murdoch, Tracey Burgess, Marion Milmine and Gaynor Milmine. The amount raised was still being tallied.
NZ Herald
09-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Pink Ribbon Breakfast Month 2025: Whitianga woman raises $30,000
'The more we can do to fund research, improve early detection, and offer support, the better the outcomes.' Over the years her fundraising breakfasts have grown, starting with 70 ladies at the local game fishing club to 210 women at a long lunch event in Whitianga's Salt Restaurant and Bar this year. However, Baker said it wasn't about the size of the event. 'A Pink Ribbon Breakfast doesn't have to be fancy or big, it's just about creating a sense of community and hope.' Breast Cancer Foundation NZ chief executive, Ah-Leen Rayner, said the money raised through donations made as part of the Pink Ribbon Breakfasts would go towards supporting patients, research, and education campaigns. 'As a charity that doesn't receive any government funding, we are completely reliant on wonderful people like Alana who support us. 'Pink Ribbon Breakfast is all about getting together with your friends, family or colleagues, to show some love for the 3500 women diagnosed with breast cancer in New Zealand each year.' The Foundation's goal was to make sure none of these women have to die from breast cancer. Pink Ribbon Breakfast Day is May 22, but events can be held any time from now until June. More information and a link to register a Pink Ribbon Breakfast are available at Once registered, hosts will be sent a free kit with ideas and resources to get them started.
