Update on our advocacy campaign
Posted on Aug 3, 2010
Thousands of advocates from across Australia have stepped up to help secure $35 million for a Clinical Trial Network.
Thanks to all the letters, emails, phone calls and media releases, the campaign for a Clinical Trial Network is having a big impact.
Unfortunately, no government commitment has been made, so funding for the clinical trials in Australia is still uncertain.
With three weeks before the federal election, JDRF is setting a new challenge to advocates:
Take your Advocacy to the next level by becoming a Type 1 Leader…
Ask your friends and family to support your advocacy:
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by JDRF, Gloria Loring. Gloria Loring said: RT @JDRF Update on our advocacy campaign http://dlvr.it/3KL0H [...]
As a concerned grandparent of a Type 1 Diabetic I applaud all who are continuing to make a noise & support this campaign. I have today sent more emails & written letters to our local member. Given that they the politicians are after our vote now is the time to step up the campaign.
This was sent to me as a email reply from the government. True or False?????
Thank you for your email.The Gillard Labor Government Earlier this month the Gillard Labor Government announced it will provide $6.5 million more to continue research into type 1 diabetes at the Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre (DVDC). This is in addition to the $5 million provided earlier to fund the DVDC and a further $5 million provided to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in June 2010 for the Australian Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Trial Network. This funding takes the total current research to more than $78 million., Federal Labor is providing $5 million to help provide insulin pumps for children with type 1 diabetes.Further, the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) and expenditure on medicines for diabetes through the PBS exceeds $400 million each year..Kind Regards,ALP Information ServicesAUTHORISED N. MARTIN for the ALP, 5/9 Sydney Ave. Barton ACT
Thanks for sharing your response from the PM’s office, Charne, which has also been sent to other advocates. The government has funded diabetes research through a few different bodies, including the Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre, a fantastic initiative that JDRF helped to set up.
Australia is very good at laboratory research, partly because of support from the government, as well JDRF and others. Unfortunately, our country has fallen behind others in the later stages of research, when the latest treatments and therapies are delivered where they are needed most: people living with type 1 diabetes.
We’re asking the government to fund a specific initiative to tackle this problem, the Clinical Trial Network (CTN). An initial funding commitment of $5 million for the CTN was made by the former Prime Minister, but unfortunately it is not enough because children and adults with type 1 diabetes need certainty about funding to participate in multi-year clinical trials.
We’re hoping the government will support the type 1 diabetes community with the request of $35 million for a CTN, because it will prevent the major drop in diabetes research funding that would otherwise take place in a year’s time.
Thanks again for your support, and that of thousands others, which is making a big impact.
Yes got the same email… sounds like the same political hoo haaarrr to me…
Yep the same old roll out … as I commented earlier via facebook, there must be approximately 60,000 adult T1 diabetics living and contributing to our tax pool, because of the incredible work put in by health support teams and their own dedication to remaining healthy. These Tax Payers are contributing well over a Billion dollars back into the Tax pool every year that they remain well and working. If we found a cure, then the Govt wouldn't have to cough up the quoted $400 Mil for NDSS / PBS. I just don't think that they quite `Get It'.
I don't know about others but I have spent 28 years of my life since diagnosis at the age of 25, in focussing on remaining healthy and being a contributing tax payer and I'm pretty fed up with being fobbed off.
please find cure. spped up and poush for cure. When there is will nothing can stop it to happen. I cant see my son suffering like this, he is too young to go through this. Each and every day I pray for cure.
Rashmi, we are doing everything possible to help your son and all children with this insidious disease type 1 diabetes. We will not rest and neither should you. Keep up the lobbying. It is getting closer and closer to the election day Aug 21.
Shame on the Gillard Government for not taking action. I have just received a letter from the Department of Health and Ageing which tells me that the "Government is in caretaker mode" and that "Future funding and policy decisions related to the Australian Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Trial Network will be a matter for the incoming government."
This two paragraph letter which mostly details the fact that the assistant secretary from the Research, Regulation and Food Branch is responding to my letter on behalf of Nicola Roxon gives me a clear indication of the non-commitment of the current Labor leaders to make a common sense decision about the future of type 1 diabetics.
This letter certainly sheds new light on my voting decision – only 9 days to go!
Wouldn't it be nice to have a magic wand & give the politicians Type 1 diabetes for a week. After days of Hypos then Hypers, being forced to eat at 2.30am due to a hypo , 35 needles a week & over 42 finger pricks they may have an idea.