A range of health groups are calling on members of the public to sign petitions that will presented to Parliament on 7 May. They call for medicines to be funded that will help New Zealanders live longer, healthier lives and reduce extreme suffering.

“We need kiwis to support other kiwis who often can’t stand up for themselves because they are too unwell,” Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition committee member Louise Malone says.

“This is a real opportunity for people to say to the Government that the time for proper funding of medicines is now.”

The groups will march to Parliament, starting at Wellington Library then to PHARMAC for a candle lighting ceremony in commemoration of those who have gone before. Once they reach Parliament, the petitions will be accepted by MPs.

The petitions call for dramatically improved medicines funding to provide the care that people with a range of serious illnesses need.

“The medicines are desperately needed,” Lung Foundation New Zealand CEO Philip Hope says.

“If everyone knew the suffering that people go through with these diseases, most wouldn’t hesitate to sign the petitions.”

The groups are Lung Foundation New Zealand, Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition, Ovarian Cancer New Zealand, Myeloma New Zealand, Pompe New Zealand and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Advocates New Zealand.

The eight petitions:
Breast cancer: Go to www.parliament.nz and search for Emma Crowley. Full link here:
https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_87731/petition-of-emma-crowley-for-breast-cancer-aotearoa-breast

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: Go www.parliament.nz and search for Neil Graham. Full link here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_87734/petition-of-neil-graham-for-chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia

Lung cancer: Go to www.parliament.nz and search for Petition of Philip Hope. Full link here:
https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_86322/petition-of-philip-hope-for-lung-foundation-new-zealand

Lung cancer – non-small-cell lung cancer: Go to www.parliament.nz and search for Jeffrey Chan. Full link here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_85074/petition-of-jeffrey-chan-ask-pharmac-to-fund-osimertinib

Myeloma: Go to www.parliament.nz and search for Petition of Kennet Romeril. Full link here:
https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_87726/petition-of-kenneth-romeril-for-myeloma-new-zealand-fund

Multiple myeloma: Go to www.parliament.nz and search for DJ Whiting. Full link here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_87691/petition-of-dj-whiting-fund-lenalidomide-for-patients

Ovarian cancer: Go to www.parliament.nz and search for Ovarian cancer. Full link here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_87690/petition-of-rachel-brown-for-ovarian-cancer-new-zealand

Pompe disease: Go to www.parliament.nz and search for Allyson Lock. Full link here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_87694/petition-of-allyson-lock-for-the-new-zealand-pompe-network

© Scoop Media