Press Release
Erotica Lifestyles Expo
17 September 2009
New Zealand woman with breast cancer denied funding assistance for breast reconstruction.
This is Tatiana. She's 26 years old She's a mother to an 8 month old son.
She has breast cancer and had a double mastectomy, stem cell surgery and breast reconstruction yesterday.
Tatiana contacted us after hearing that the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation turned down our offer to donate $7500
to them from this year's Erotica Lifestyles Expo.
These are her words;
"Hi,
I am appalled at the way the breast cancer foundation treated you. Absolutely disgusting!
I have to have a double mastectomy on the 7th of September (note: this was subsequently rescheduled to 16 September).
The government won't even pay for a reconstruction!
So as a solo mum of a 8 month baby I have been fundraising to get the money for reconstruction. (she had to sell her
house)
If at all you would like to make a donation to my cause, even if its $5 I would be really grateful and would in turn be
honoured to be on the boobs on bikes parade (with my new boobs lol)
Please consider this as I would love to :)"
We were somewhat surprised at this so we emailed her back: -
"This is appalling. It is my understanding that if you have to have a mastectomy the government do pay for
reconstruction and a wig (for hair loss). Why is this not happening in your case?"
A week later and In response to this query, Tatiana replied:
"Sorry was having another surgery so have been in hospital. I should have explained myself better. I have melanoma which
has affected my lymph nodes including and specifically my breasts. The reconstruction is different to a normal post
mastectomy surgery as the cancer cells are everywhere. That's why I have to pay for a specialist surgeon to try fix them
and put implants in place of my breasts.
Before I got sick I was a nurse but since I got sick am now a stay at home mum to my 8 months old boy Mathieu."
We at Erotica have decided to get behind Tatiana and ask that you do too.
We have pledged a sizeable cash donation to Tatiana and fundraising activities at the 10th anniversary Erotica
Lifestyles Expo 25-27 September to assist her in her fight. Segway New Zealand have got on board and are loaning two
Segway Personal Transporters for Tatiana to sell gold coin donation rides on at the show.
Tatiana's case, and others like hers, further highlight the plight of the New Zealand health system.
ENDS