"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"
11 MARCH 2007
RUGBY MATCH A ROARING SUCCESS
The inagural BOWMAN/TODD memorial rugby matchwent really well. Bit hot though!! Everyone had a great time and we raised a fair bit for the Mary Potter Hospice. I will update on amounts when I know the figure. Fantastic turnout...and great to see so many members of the "Headways" Wellington BTSupport Group there. Once again the Kapiti community were there to lend there support and the POLICE were just brilliant.
More piccies in the gallery
FEBRUARY2007
NOTICE FROM DENIS STRANGMAN, INTERNATIONAL BRAIN TUMOUR ALLIANCE CHAIR.
Support the inaugural International Brain Tumo(u)r Awareness Week 21-27 October 2007 and the 2007 Walk Around the World for Brain Tumo(u)rs where individuals and groups are aiming for a collective target of 40,000 kms or 25,000 miles (the circumference of the globe). See: http://www.theibta.org/Week.htm
NOVEMBER 2006
Winners announced for the 2006 Qantas Television Awards
Winners for the 2006 Qantas Television Awards have been announced. The awards recognise excellence in all New Zealand television.
MILLION DOLLAR TUMOUR WON !!
Best NZ Popular Documentary
JUNE 2006
Hi everyone, I am very sorry to say that Dave passed away 22nd June 2006 at the Mary Potter Hospice.
I was with him, as were his Mum, Dad & some good mates. He fought long and hard for every day of the 17months since his diagnosis.
His funeral was held on Tuesday 27th June, at Southwards Car Museum Auditorium, Paraparaumu. What a fantastic turnout with in excess of 1000 people.
MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CAME, AND EVERYONE THAT HAS SENT FLOWERS AND CARDS.
A special thankyou to all who helped on the day and those who spoke.xxx Penny & the boys.
MILLION DOLLAR TUMOUR
From the emails, phone calls & texts it appears the documentry was well received. Thanks to everyone who has been in contact. We really appreciate it.
This extract from a television review is testament to the quality of the documentary.
TV STORY
Heartbreaking diary of Dave and Goliath - 25 March 2006
By JANE BOWRON
There are so many documentaries about illnesses or diseases of the week that viewers are inclined to give a wide berth to but Million Dollar Tumour (Inside New Zealand, TV3, 8.30pm) was riveting right from the get go because of the powerful personality who narrated the story.
Dave also took apricot kernels, but he did not take these during his chemo rounds.
BRAIN TUMOURS MATTER Demonstration
15 Nov 2005 @ Parliament
MORE PICTURES FROM THE DEMONSTRATION IN THE GALLERY
The Demonstration went really well. FANTASTIC weather FANTASTIC Crowd FANTASTIC response by the news media
With a 200+ crowd and the sun gods smiling the demonstration was a huge success. There was a huge media presence. The demonstration had been profiled all morning on the radio,NewsTalk ZB, and Tv1 put Dave on air "live" for the midday national news.
There were stories on the Television on all 3 Networks. The 5.30pm Prime news kicked off the coverage and then TV1 and TV3 both did stories on the demonstration at 6pm which was just FANTASTIC.
FACT FINDING IN THE USA
Brain cancer patients fight an unseen enemy Advice and updated information offered at recent area conference BY JAY BODAS Staff Writer NJ SENTINEL (USA)
Dave and Penny Bowman traveled all the way from New Zealand to attend the Central New Jersey Regional Brain Tumor Conference held across from JFK Medical Center in Edison last Saturday. Dave is currently in treatment for glioblastoma multiforme, which is the deadliest and most common type of brain cancer
(read the full article on the media/news page)
The Brain Tumour Centre at Duke was excellent. Staff and facility are amazing. The vibe inside the whole centre was so positive and I came away with everythingI was looking for. No magic cures but a plan for at least the next 12 months. Visit www.cancer.duke.edu/btc for more information about the facility.
We also attendeda Brain Tumour conference in New Jersey ..."Diagnosis: Brain Tumor - You Are NOT Alone" on Saturday, October 15, 2005. The conference was at JFK Hospital's Conference Center at 70 James St, Edison, NJ 08818. See www.njbt.org . What an excellent conference, learnt so much and met many long term survivors
We gave a presentation at the conference. The following link from Al Musella will take you to an online video library of the first 6 lectures from the New Jersey Brain Tumour Conference where the keynote speaker was Dr Linda Liau MD,PHD from UCLA. http://virtualtrials.com/video.cfme
Jonah & Fiona Lomu lend their support to NZ Brain Tumour Sufferers!!
"Disease can strike anyone at anytime, like us. Jonah was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome in 1994 and finally ended up in full kidney failure in 2003 when he had to begin dialysis.
We were lucky enough to have a friend donate a kidney to Jonah and he successfully transplanted in June 2004. We havehad some tough times but nothing like what Dave Bowman and his family are going through.
When we met Dave at Wellington airport we were truly shocked and saddened by his story. We obviously had some understanding of the things he is going through and the challenges that he meets on a daily basis. Dave is a lot like Jonah in the way he approaches his disease. He is going to fight it with everything he has got and both Jonah and I have immense admiration for that.
Dave talked to us about his brain tumour and about the adversities that are faced by brain tumour patients. He explained he had set up a website and was making a documentary and all sorts of other things to raise the awareness of this disease.
We wanted to take this opportunity to send our support to all brain tumour patients. The challenge of meeting each new day is huge and must take an enormous amount of courage and effort.
We both believe the mind is a very powerful thing. It has certainly been a big part of Jonahs recovery and his return to the rugby field. Maintaining a positive outlook when faced which such adversity is not easy. Each and every day is special, love to the fullest, stay positive, stay strong.
Your friends,
Jonah and Fiona Lomu"
Dave and Penny Bowman at their interview on TVNZ's Good Morning 01 August and 10 December 2005.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: All information provided by this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions.
