Thousands Support CTN but No Funding Announcement Yet
Thousands of advocates have made their voice heard for a Clinical Trial Network, with new supporters signing up every day. The message is clear; Australians cannot accept that our country is falling behind the US and the UK in access to the latest treatments and therapies for type 1 diabetes. A Government commitment of $35 million for a Clinical Trials Network will take research to where it is needed most – directly to people living with this difficult disease.
So far, advocates have not received the answer they are desperately hoping for but it is not too late to get involved.
The Government has not yet given a commitment for $35m for the Clinical Trial Network.
Blue Mountains mother Nicole Ashcroft, whose daughter Madison has type 1 diabetes said, “This issue means everything to me, because one day my child’s life might depend on the technology that is currently available overseas. I’m making a personal plea to the Prime Minister to support us.”
In the lead-up to a Federal election, people affected by type 1 diabetes are putting pressure on the Government to match the Coalition election commitment of $35 million to JDRF for the CTN. The $5m given by the former Prime Minister is not enough because children and adults with type 1 diabetes need certainty about funding to participate in multi-year clinical trials.
President of JDRF Susan Alberti AO was moved to send an urgent letter directly to the Prime Minister, saying that the CTN was simply critical.
“Medical research has given people with type 1 diabetes a life they could only dream of 20 years ago. Australia has traditionally been a leader in this field, participating in some of the most significant breakthroughs. But I am sorry to say our country is falling behind. Australians with type 1 diabetes have significantly less access to exciting new therapies and technologies than people in other countries.”
JDRF’s advocacy campaign has given families with type 1 diabetes the tools they need to send emails, letters and media releases to MPs and newspapers across the country. There is still 3 weeks to run in the election campaign. Sign up now or take your advocacy to the next level with a media release and phone call.
Strange isn't it..they the politicians all have time to Twitter & push there own political agenda. Why is it when real people ask for assistance we cannot even get the courtesy of a reply.
Just keep lobbying. We must continue our "push" We need the CTN now. I will not rest and neither should any of the type 1 community stop their lobbying.
I am glad that we have JDRF speaking up for all people living with type 1 diabetes. When it comes to the daily cost of living with diabetes, preventing complications and wanting to find a cure, I only find JDRF carrying my message. Thank you Susan Alberti and all the staff and volunteers carrying my voice!!
Hello –
I emailed my local member thanking them for their support to the $35m clinical trial network for type 1 diabetes. I received a very positive email back acknowledging how important it is to get Australian medical therapies inline with the rest of the world.
However, when I wrote an email to the Prime Minister asking her support for the Clinical trials, the ALP responded with saying they gave us money in the past and some recently for pumps (for those under the age of 18) and went on to say how they are giving more money….but READ BETWEEN THE LINES!!!!!! The money is for type 2!!!!!
My diabetes does not stop when I turn 18! There is a pump I really would like to have, but it has not been available over here for the past 5 years!!! Why?!?!? We are so far behind!
Carmen, great work Thanks. Do not stop, just keeping on lobbying right up until election day. Perhaps we can all follow your lead. Together we will get the "right answer"!!
PUMPS ARE NOT THE SOLOUTION!!!!! … why do we want the govt to subsidise or pay for such expensive mechanisms.PUMPS are only an mechanism for easy management of the illness… DIABETICS WNAT THE MONEY SPENT ON A CURE.
Have just received the "communal" email from Hon Nicola Roxon's office! I also received a labour party response from a "office helper" a few weeks ago. I'm acctually wondering if Ms Roxon and Ms Gillard is even aware of the JDRF campaign. What a joke!
My daughter (aged 19) got so upset today after seeing her endocrinologist that she had a car accident (she's fine but shaken – the car did not do so well), we need a C U R E for type 1 asap. My daughter is a beautiful young woman and rarely complains about her condition but my daughter and other type 1 sufferers deserve the BEST care and research that is available.