April Update:
Human Rights Complaint
As stated in a previous update, the Alberta Human Rights Commission has informed us that we have grounds for our complaint against Alberta Health and Wellness, regarding discrimination in Avastin billing.

Alberta Health and Wellness was supposed to submit a formal response to our complaint by mid-April, however, they have asked for an extension and the Commission has now requested that they provide a response by May 7, 2010. We will keep you posted on the developments, as they unfold.

Ritu Khullar, a human rights lawyer with Chivers Carpenter Law, has agreed to provide us with a pro bono review of our case and recommendations for next steps, after we receive a response from Alberta Health and Wellness regarding our complaint. Many thanks to Ritu for her kindness in this regard. We are indebted, to say the least.

Thanking the MPs Who Helped Get Avastin Approved by Health Canada
We know that Senator Tommy Banks and MP's Laurie Hawn and Peter Goldring were working to get Avastin approved. Did your Member of Parliament play a role in having Avastin approved as a GBM brain tumour treatment by Health Canada? If you feel your MP was advocating on our behalf, please let us know so we can send them a thank you letter. It is important for us to give credit where it is due... Thank you for your anticipated help with this.

How our MLA, Brian Mason (NDP), is Helping
We met with our MLA, Brian Mason (NDP) and his assistant, Tyler Bedford, on Friday, March 19, 2010 and they committed to helping us address Kent's Avastin situation.

Brian Mason then met with Alberta Health Minister, Gene Zwozdesky, on March 23, 2010 and phoned Mr. Tony Fields, VP Cancer Care for Alberta Health Services, on March 25, 2010 to advocate for Avastin to be added to the Alberta Approved Drug List.

Mr. Mason is currently out of town, but we expect that he will continue his advocacy efforts over the weeks to come.

How the Official Opposition Critic for Alberta Health is Helping
I called Dr. David Swann (Liberal Leader) and left a message for Dr. Kevin Taft, Official Opposition Critic for Alberta Health and Wellness, and Dr. Swann said that he and Dr. Taft would investigate Kent's situation and help in what ever way they can. We have been in regular contact with their research assistant, Ryan Gordey, and we are expecting to hear back from them in the near future, regarding next steps.