OVER 1800 KIWIS DIE FROM LUNG CANCER EVERY YEAR. LUNG CANCER IS NEW ZEALAND’S DEADLIEST CANCER. Treatment of lung cancer needs to be a government priority. We need more common sense in funding; prevention, early detection and the provision of more effective treatments for lung cancer. Click to view our lung cancer advocacy flyer. lung-foundation_31148369 […]
April, 2020
Letter of expectations from Health Minister to Pharmac
Given the U-turn by Pharmac to progress the RFP for immunotherapy treatment for lung cancer and the insipid excuse offered by Pharmac, we felt it was timely to review the governments letter of expectations, issued by Dr David Clark, Minister of Health, to Steve Maharey (Chair of Pharmac) regarding Pharmac’s key priorities for the 2019/2020 […]
Pharmac backtracks RFP for immunotherapy treatment for lung cancer
LFNZ was absolutely gobsmacked to be informed the RFP for immunotherapy treatment for lung cancer had been put on hold by Pharmac. This is another blow for patients with lung cancer, who have no time to wait. Click to view the letter from Pharmac – 2020-04-20 Sarah Fitt letter to Philip Hope re RFP update […]
Pharmac urged to fund treatments for lung cancer
Just prior to the lockdown, Lung Foundation NZ, CEO, Philip Hope, met with Sarah Fitt (CEO) and Steve Maharey (Chair), of Pharmac, concerning the ongoing delay to fund lung cancer treatments which is causing a (preventable) humanitarian crisis. It is unacceptable, 30 patients are dying prematurely every week in NZ, when treatments could be available […]
Comparing Lung Cancer Treatment Options between, NZ and Australia versus European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Guidelines
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealanders have become more aware how our healthcare compares with other countries. Comparing, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment Options between New Zealand, Australia and Europe, highlights just how far behind NZ is and why lung cancer patients die prematurely. It is disgraceful, that NZ funds just a third of the […]
Tribute to Kate Hodges, Lung Cancer Patient Ambassador
Me te aroha tino nui atu (with deepest sympathy) We are deeply affected and grieving, because our dear friend, lung cancer patient ambassador, Kate Hodges (50), a devoted wife and mother, died on Wednesday, 1st April, the result of advanced lung cancer. Kate had moved to receive respite care at hospice, the same day as […]
Submission to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill
LFNZ is strongly in favour of resourcing programmes that increase complete smoking cessation, rather than encouraging people who smoke to switch their nicotine addiction. The scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of vaping (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems or ENDS) as a smoking cessation aid is still being debated, this is partly due to the diversity of […]
