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January Update:
Greetings All,
Happy New Year! Hope this email finds you well. We're hanging in there. Kent is a bit tired these days, but nothing out of the ordinary while on chemo. He's doing his best to get to the gym a few days a week, as the doctors told him it was important to stay physically strong. Thanks to Mike, his trainer, for making it happen!
We are Lobbying the Government to Approve Avastin (Bevacizumab)
We have started lobbying the federal and provincial governments to approve Avastin (Bevacizumab) chemo as a brain tumour treatment.
As you know, Kent is receiving Avastin from Alberta Health Services every two weeks via IV injection at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, in conjunction with daily Etoposide chemotherapy pills.
Health Canada and Alberta Health Services have approved Avastin for colon cancer, and the FDA in the United States has also approved Avastin for breast, colon, lung and brain cancers. However, since Avastin has not yet been approved by Health Canada and Alberta Health Services as a brain tumour treatment, Alberta Health Services is charging us $4,555.00 for each treatment, or $9,110.00 per month. This is clearly unaffordable for any family, even after the 25% rebate we have been promised from the maker of the drug, Roche.
As a result, we have sent letters to the following:
- Minister of Health Canada, Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, P.C., M.P (requesting approval of Avastin)
- Our Member of Parliament, Peter Goldring (requesting assistance with approvals)
- Minister of Alberta Health and Wellness, Honourable Ronald Liepert (requesting Alberta Health Services waive Kent's Avastin fees and approve Avastin as a brain tumour treatment in Alberta)
- Our MLA, Brian Mason (requesting assistance with approvals)
- An additional MLA who has a personal connection to brain tumours, Doug Elniski (requesting assistance with approvals).
You Can Help Us Lobby
Deb has drafted sample letters for anyone who would like to send a letter or email to the following:
- Minister of Health Canada, Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, P.C., M.P (requesting approval of Avastin by Health Canada, so the provinces can then approve it) [sample letter]
- Minister of Alberta Health and Wellness, Ronald Liepert (requesting Alberta Health Services waive Kent's Avastin fees and approve it as a brain tumour treatment) [sample letter]
- Your local Member of Parliament (requesting assistance with approvals) [sample letter]
- Your local MLA (requesting assistance with approvals). [sample letter]
Please email me if you would like me to send you the sample letters in a WORD format.
I also have links to the MP and MLA pages, if you need assistance figuring out who your MP and MLA are. They all have email addresses, if you would prefer to email them rather than send a letter.
Next MRI Results
We will receive the results of Kent's next MRI on January 25, so we'll provide an update then. Keep your fingers and toes crossed, and remember those Hail Mary's... Until Then. Cheers. Deb and Kent XOXO
Information on Avastin
Here's more information on Avastin, for your reference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIy1HoSI51s
http://www.mdconsult.com/das/news/body/177216481-2/mnfp/0/207014/1.html?nid=207014&date=all&general=true&mine=true
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/nws/content/nws_1_1x_avastin_approved_for_glioblastoma.asp
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/fda-bevacizumab#Anchor-Glioblastoma
http://brainandspine.titololawoffice.com/2009/05/articles/the-human-brain/avastin-bevacizumab-approved-by-fda-for-treatment-of-aggressive-brain-cancer/
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149461.php
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1836358820071019
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090406151551.htm
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