In the media
Woman’s brain cancer so aggressive it recurred within weeks of surgery
Stuff, 30 June 2024
While waiting to start radiotherapy for her glioblastoma, Hilary Bishop’s tumour grew back so aggressively that she had to have another craniotomy. Brain Tumour Support NZ is arguing for more investment in the radiation oncology sector, already under severe pressure from workforce shortages, lack of treatment facilities and ageing machinery following years of under-resourcing from successive governments.
Brain tumour patients still resorting to Givealittle
The Post, 29 June 2024
Despite the government’s record $604 million funding boost for Pharmac, patients are not expecting to see any new treatments for brain cancer any time soon.
Brainy Beanies at Fieldays 2024
Radio Te Aroha 88fm, 11 June 2024
Radio Te Aroha’s John Watson interviews Brain Tumour Support NZ Chief Executive Sarah Verran about the work of the charity and bringing Brainy Beanies to Fieldays 2024.
Brain tumour survivor’s mum opens up on lasting impact of ‘unthinkable’ diagnosis
NZ Herald, 31 May 2024
Brain Tumour Support NZ Chief Executive, Sarah Verran, shares the story of her daughter Ruby’s brain tumour diagnosis and how it has impacted their family.
Brain cancer: How a Tauranga teacher found out she had a tumour and why she’s fighting for change
NZ Herald, 16 November 2023
“My world changed overnight.” In a matter of days, Tauranga teacher Bryony Smith, 29, went from falling at hockey practice to being told she had a brain tumour.
Māori children experience alarming rates of brain cancer, researchers to investigate causes using AI
Māori Television, 7 November 2023
A team at Auckland University is using artificial intelligence to help children affected by brain tumours, one-third of whom are Māori. An increase in the condition has confounded experts.
Family of 8yo with brain cancer told to 'prepare for the worst'
Radio New Zealand, 6 November 2023
Radio NZ’s Ruth Hill highlights the case of 8-year old Lachie Love who has a DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma), a rare and incurable brain tumour. This story has also been covered by the NZ Herald, and Stuff.
Brain cancer most deadly cancer for children
Radio New Zealand, 6 November 2023
Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killers of children - and for unknown reasons, a third of cases are in Māori tamariki. Auckland University researchers are using artificial intelligence to analyse hundreds of tumours in an attempt to find out why.
Health system reforms 'taking far too long', say cancer patient advocates
Radio New Zealand, 30 October 2023
"It is taking far too long," said Chris Tse, chair of Brain Tumour Support NZ. "We need to have these other pathways in place so that patients can be treated."
Plea for more research as increasing number of New Zealanders diagnosed with brain cancer
Newshub, 29 October 2023
An increasing number of Kiwis are being diagnosed with brain cancer, but experts don't know why. In fact, there is little known about the cancer, which has a high death rate. With International Brain Tumour Awareness Week underway, advocates are calling for more research.
Pharmac announces alternative supply of lomustine
Bay of Plenty Times/NZ Herald, 21 September 2023
“We desperately need better treatments, and these will only come through investment in brain cancer research, including clinical trials” ~ Chris Tse, Brain Tumour Support NZ chair.
Patient advocate campaigners call for better access to new medicines
Radio New Zealand, 28 August 2023
Brain Tumour Support NZ supporters joined forces with patient advocates from a range of health charities to support the My Life Matters campaign launch in downtown Auckland.
Pharmac announces discontinuation of brain tumour drug lomustine
Bay of Plenty Times, 25 August 2023
Pharmac has announced its supplier of the brain tumour drug lomustine was discontinuing its production of the medicine and the agency has not been able to find an alternative supplier. Video and article online here or read the full article at the below.
Hamilton Brainy Beanies exhibition to shine light on Brain Tumour Support
Waikato Herald, 29 April 2023
May is Brain Tumour Awareness Month in New Zealand and, the Nancy Caiger Gallery at the Meteor Theatre will once again be filled with an array of handcrafted beanies as the Brainy Beanies exhibition returns to Hamilton.
Dunedin oncology cut ‘a slow moving train wreck’ cancer support groups say
Radio New Zealand, 3 April 2023
Brain Tumour Support NZ chair, Chris Tse, is interviewed by Radio NZ Midday Report’s Charlotte Cook
National cancer working group forms in response to critical shortages
Radio New Zealand, 3 April 2023
Stuff.co.nz, 3 April 2023
In this news report by Radio NZ’s Phil Pennington, Brain Tumour Support NZ chair Chris Tse describes the critical shortage of radiation oncologists in Aotearoa New Zealand as a ‘slow moving train wreck’.
Erena Mikaere cuts her hair off for brain cancer awareness
Maori Television, 8 August 2022
Rotorua Daily Post, 8 August 2022
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic netball star and Maori Television presenter, Erena Mikaere, has shaved her hair off on live TV to raise awareness of brain cancer and to raise funds for Brain Tumour Support NZ.
MRI delays impacting brain tumour patients
Radio New Zealand, 28 July 2022
"We have a lot of patients who are on active surveillance and they are meant to have regular MRI scans and if they are being delayed there is a risk that their treatment will be delayed" - Brain Tumour Support NZ chair, Chris Tse
The late Jemima Gazley loved Wellington: Wellington loved her back
Dominion Post, 16 May 2022
Jemima Gazley, posthumous winner of the inaugural “Spirit of Wellington Award”, left a legacy of hope and inspiration her mum Ray said. Brain Tumour Support NZ chair, Chris Tse, commented: “If one remarkable young woman could move so many hearts and minds, then there is hope of a better future for people diagnosed with brain cancer.”
Wellington researchers believe cocktail of common medicines could extend lives of glioblastoma patients
Newshub, 20 December 2021
Commenting on the glioblastoma stem cell research being conducted at Wellington’s Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, Brain Tumour Support NZ chair, Chris Tse, empahsises the need for more clinical trials to confirm this treatment approach and bring it into clinical practice.
Ten year old Rotorua girl’s fundraiser in honour of her Nan
Te Ao Maori News, 31 October 2021
Brain Tumour Support NZ ambassador and Waikato BOP Magic netball star, Erena Mikaere interviewed a very special ten year old, Tyla-Jaz Inia McGarvey, for Maori Television.
Brain Tumour Awareness Week: Wellington cancer teen Jemima Gazley praised for putting spotlight on issue
NZ Herald, 30 October 2021
Brain Tumour Support NZ chairman Chris Tse said there was a stigma of sorts with brain cancer because it attacked the very essence of a person- their cognitive function and behaviour.
“A very brave and special person”: Tributes pour in for Wellington teen who raised more than $550,000 for cancer research
Stuff.co.nz, 13 October 2021
The father of the Wellington teenager who raised more than $550,000 for cancer research has paid tribute to his daughter, Jemima, who died on Tuesday.
He waka eke noa! Brain Tumour Support NZ’s call to the nation
Brain Tumour, 31 August 2021
Brain Tumour Support NZ founding chair, Mandy Bathan, tells her story to Brain Tumour magazine.
Cancer patient rounds off North Island leg of walk from Cape Reinga to Bluff
Stuff.co.nz, 12 December 2020
After spending the past 100-odd days walking the length of the North Island, Kate Coatsworth is looking forward to putting her feet up for a while and letting her blisters heal.
Whanganui stop for family on Cape Reinga to Bluff charity walk
Whanganui Chronicle, 21 November 2020
At the start of this year, Kate Coatsworth had travelled from her base in Australia back home to New Zealand to undergo brain cancer treatment. She could barely walk 10 metres.
Above link is behind paywall. Photo of the article can be read here.
Whangārei's Gavin Starling running for Brain Tumour Support to honour late partner
The Northern Advocate, 20 November 2020
A Whangārei man has gone from barely being able to run 100m to a 10km event in an effort to raise money and publicity for a brain tumour support group.
A brain tumour the size of a plum, three high-risk surgeries and a tight-knit family unit
Stuff.co.nz, 29 October 2020
Laura Larsson is in the business of happiness and love. But a brain tumour the size of a plum almost derailed her life.
Woman with stage 4 brain cancer walking 3000km - the length of New Zealand
Dominion Post, 25 October 2020
On the first day of Kate Coatsworth’s six-month, 3000-kilometre walk of the length of New Zealand, her shoes filled with water wading through a lagoon, leaving her with blisters on every “absolutely destroyed” toe.
Beating the track for brain cancer: fundraiser is walking Whangārei Loop today
The Northern Advocate, 26 September 2020
In May, when Kate Coatsworth was depleted and in the throes of chemo, she could barely walk several steps, let alone consider taking on the length of the country on foot.
Beating the Track for Brain Cancer Mission Launched
TVNZ 1 News at Six, 7 September 2020
Kate Coatsworth is a woman who won’t be beaten. After months of treatment for a brain tumour, the 34 year-old is walking the length of New Zealand to raise awareness and funds for Brain Tumour Support NZ.
Brain Boxes support tumour patients with comfort and information
Stuff.co.nz, 18 July 2020
A Nelson-based charity is sending care boxes to brain tumour patients around the country to show they are not alone.