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JEAN Murphy hands over the petition to Salford Primary Care Trust at St James’ House, Pendleton
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Hundreds back Jean's fight
Kathryn Ryan15/ 5/2008
A GRANDMOTHER fighting for a drug to treat her cancer has presented a petition to the people who refused to fund the treatment.
Jean Murphy’s family and friends rallied round after Salford Primary Care Trust declined to pay for her to be treated with Sutent - which is routinely available in Liverpool and Cheshire and has doubled the life expectancy of other sufferers.
In less than a week they collected 1,400 names from across the city against the PCT’s decision and on Tuesday, May 13 they handed it over.
Mrs Murphy, 62, has also launched a legal appeal and is due to hear what decision has been made by Monday, May 19.
She says she will take the challenge all the way to High Court if she needs to.
Mrs Murphy, of Cleveland Avenue, Hope, said: "People have been marvellous, they’ve been so willing to sign the petition.
"It could happen to anyone and I think the people are trying to put themselves in my position. I was gobsmacked when we found out how many people had signed the petition - it gave me a bit of a boost.
"Everyone has been lovely and the support has been tremendous."
Mrs Murphy - who also cares for husband Michael who has Crohn’s disease, diabetes, and heart disease - was diagnosed with kidney cancer last July, having already fought off breast cancer.
The kidney cancer has since spread to her lungs but Mrs Murphy, who has already had a kidney removed, has now gone nine weeks without treatment.
Her consultant Professor Robert Hawkins, from Christie Hospital, and her GP Owain Thomas have sent written statements to the PCT supporting her case.
Prof Hawkins was also involved in the treatment of Factory Records boss Tony Wilson who was also refused the drug but managed to buy it privately after celebrity pals stumped up the cash.
Currently health bosses across Greater Manchester consider each request for Sutent on an individual basis and Salford PCT commissioning panel have decided not to pay for Mrs Murphy’s care because her circumstances are not ‘exceptional’.
A Salford PCT spokesman said: "We have received and thanked Mrs Murphy for the petition.
"It will be considered as part of the process review."
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17/05/2008 at 13:51
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