DAVE'S STORY
On the 6th January 2005, without warning I was struck down with major tonic/clonicseizure (paralysis down right side, loss consciousness) for 2 mins.
I went in and out of A&E twice before we demanded a scan to reveal 1.8 cm lesion. Surgery on 13 Jan and pathology later revealed a Glioblastoma Multiforme Brain Tumour (GBM), the most common brain tumour, which is malignant and regarded as incurable.
I made a decision some time ago to turn around the negative situation my family and I found us in and try and make something positive out of this whole disaster. Slowly but surely I'm clawing back some advantage for brain tumour patients. The time is right for a campaign to be made for Temozolomide chemotherapy to be recognised as the most effective and promising treatment for newly diagnosed and recurrent brain tumour patients in over 30 years.
So far I have petitioned the Minister of Health and the head of Pharmac, Dr Peter Moodie and both have told me that even if steps for subsidising began tomorrow the protracted process will take months.
This is unacceptable and I believe the way for us to show them this is to get as many brain tumour patients and their families to come out and tell their stories. The way that the system and often our own doctors consider us a dead loss and the way we are withheld treatment and funding that most other cancer patients are provided. We do not have time to wait months for this process and Australia has shown that there are ways it can be fast tracked. Temozolomide has been subsidised in Australia since June 2005.
It is also subsidised in the United States, the European Union, eight Canadian provinces and is being considered for subsidy in the United Kingdom.
The battle continues…
22 JUNE 2006, Dave lost his battle with the tumour. but his legacy remains.
"Dave Bowman found time, when time was precious, to wage battle on behalf of New Zealanders for the right to be prescribed a cancer drug called Temodal, commonly accepted to prolong and improve the quality of life for those with brain tumours - and commonly available overseas - but not funded here.
He researched the drug, he met with PHARMAC, he put pressure on the Government, he travelled to talk to experts overseas, he went on radio and TV and most of all he gave hope to other sufferers.
Dave Bowman won the battle with PHARMAC, who in May this year cleared the drug for funding, but only for newly diagnosed patients, too late for Dave Bowman.
On July 22nd Dave lost his battle with life. Dave Bowman was a Kiwi through and through, he loved his family, his rugby, his hunting and fishing and his larger Police family. And he got it back in bucketloads.
His humility and courage touched his local Kapiti community and then when he told his story in the documentary Million Dollar Tumour, he touched New Zealand.
Dave's family can temper their grief by knowing he made a difference. Dave Bowman was not a bystander in life, he was a contributor and he left the world a better place as a result.
His legacy will not be forgotten by the thousands of people who's lives he touched.
Thankyou Dave, you made us proud to be New Zealanders"
