Federal budget 2022: More funding for breast cancer drug Trodelvy

Against all the odds Sydney mum Alison Day will get to celebrate her daughter’s 12th birthday — and thanks to her dying wish many more Australian women battling aggressive breast cancer might make new milestones as well.

Against all the odds Sydney mother Alison Day will get to celebrate her daughter’s 12th birthday — and thanks to her dying wish many more Australian women battling aggressive breast cancer will make it to their own milestones.

Since being told she would not survive her triple negative breast cancer diagnosis, Ms Day has lobbied for expedited access to a promising drug Trodelvy, which has not only extended her own life but will now be subsidised by the federal government for others.

Ms Day and her daughter Matilda were invited to Canberra on Tuesday night to watch Treasurer Josh Frydenberg deliver the 2022-23 Budget, who revealed her struggle in a heart-wrenching moment during his speech.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg with Alison Day and her daughter Matilda on the night of the budget.

Mr Frydenberg announced the listing of Trodelvy on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which will save patients with the rare triple negative breast cancer up to $80,000 per treatment.

“For the first time, this drug gives hope many young women, extending their life expectancy and providing an opportunity to spend precious time with their loved ones,” Mr Frydenberg told parliament.

“Like, Alison, a young mum who when she got her terminal prognosis wrote a letter to her daughter Matilda to open on her 12th birthday, when Alison would no longer be there.

“Because of Trodelvy, Alison will (on Wednesday) celebrate Matilda’s 12th birthday.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Ali’s Wish campaign highlighted Ms Day’s advocacy on behalf of all women with late-stage and aggressivebreast cancer.

Alison in hospital in 2020.

Alison Day has been battling Breast Cancer. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Speaking after she watched Mr Frydenberg’s speech, Ms Day said the funding announcement was an “answer to all (her) prayers”.

“It helps me knowing that even though eventually I will die, I’ve had this time, but I leave with the knowledge people won’thave to endure what I have had to endure because they have this drug.”

Ms Day said she knew women around Australia who were “waiting with baited breathe” for such an announcement that would makethe prohibitively expensive drug accessible to all.

“I was overjoyed and felt immense gratitude to everybody who has helped me at Newscorp with the campaign, and the government,and incredibly happy this drug is now available for all women in the country facing this horrible disease,” she said.

“I will remember this until I die and I know my daughter Matilda will remember it long after I’m gone.”

Alison Day pictured with her daughter Matilda (11) at their Balmian home in 2021. Picture: Damian Shaw

Ms Day has been on Trodelvy since July 2021, first getting access after her “lifesaving” friend David offered to pay for thetreatments.

The drug has significantly extended her life expectancy, though her diagnosis remains terminal

“I did not think I would be here today, I wrote a birthday card for Matilda thinking I wouldn’t be alive to be here,” she said.

“To give women the gift of time even if they are terminally ill is everything to us.”

The budget also included funding for patients who missed out on screening sessions for three types of cancer during the pandemicto catch up on appointments.

A $40.7 million package has been announced to make more appointments available for breast, bowel and cervical cancer screeningover the next three years.

The package includes $9.7 million in funding over two years for BreastScreen Australia, allowing the service to expand operationsand account for the extra surge in appointments throughout 2022 and 2023.