FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – May 19, 2025 –
Following the dissolution of the 44th Parliament, The Heather Cutler Foundation is announcing its newly nominated Member of Parliament to authorize the next phase of its federal advocacy. The Honourable Tom Osborne, Member of Parliament for Cape Spear, has been nominated to sponsor petition e-6492, which builds on the momentum of petition e-5186—an initiative that gathered 364 official signatures and earned 1,002 supporters on Change.org before Parliament was dissolved.

Petition e-6492 introduces updated language and strengthened calls to action. Notable changes include the addition of national guidelines, a clearer demand for diversified funding that supports underrepresented provinces, and an emphasis on oversight and transparency within the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) process.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers in the country, with a five-year survival rate of just 10%. The Heather Cutler Foundation’s petition outlines actionable steps to address the inequities faced by patients, from inadequate testing protocols to financial and geographical barriers limiting participation in life-saving clinical trials.

Hon. Tom Osborne: A Proven Advocate for Health Equity

As the newly elected Member of Parliament for Cape Spear, Hon. Tom Osborne brings over three decades of public service experience, having held key provincial cabinet positions including Minister of Health and Community Services, Finance, Education, Justice, and Environment. His tenure is marked by a longstanding commitment to improving healthcare access and public accountability in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Key Achievements Include:

• Healthcare Leadership: As Minister of Health and Community Services, Osborne led initiatives to improve healthcare delivery, prioritizing patient care and system accountability.
• Fiscal Stewardship: As Finance Minister, Osborne emphasized transparency and long-term sustainability.
• Justice and Education Reform: He introduced key reforms balancing development, education, and public interest.
• International and Community Impact: Osborne has served on the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and is a board member of Hope Air.

Born and raised in St. John’s, Osborne’s extensive experience in government and public service makes him a strong sponsor for this important petition.

About the Petition

The Heather Cutler Foundation’s petition addresses significant barriers to pancreatic cancer care in Canada.

Key Recommendations:

• National Testing Guidelines: Establish standardized genetic and somatic testing protocols with government reimbursement to improve early detection and treatment.
• Equitable Clinical Trial Access: Provide financial support for patients and caregivers traveling for trials and develop partnerships with transportation and accommodation providers to reduce costs.
• Expedited Drug Approvals: Set clear timelines for funding negotiations for life-saving treatments like Onivyde, with transparency in decision-making processes.
• Decentralized Clinical Trials: Support Health Canada’s CRAFT framework to expand trial access for patients in rural and underserved regions.
• Prioritized Federal Investment: Designate pancreatic cancer as a national priority and commit to diversified research funding that includes early detection and supports provinces historically underrepresented in research.

About The Heather Cutler Foundation

The Heather Cutler Foundation is a Canadian non-profit organization focused on improving outcomes for individuals affected by pancreatic cancer. Named in honour of Heather—a registered nurse who spent over 35 years serving her community—the foundation was created in response to the barriers she experienced navigating Canada’s cancer care system.

Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, the foundation aims to raise awareness about gaps in access to testing, treatment, and clinical trials. It works to connect individuals with trusted resources while advocating for systemic improvements that benefit all Canadians, particularly those in rural and underserved regions.

Accomplishments:

• Raised over $14,000 for pancreatic cancer research through campaigns like Craig’s Cause #KickingPancreAS fundraiser.
• Gathered 364 official signatures on its first House of Commons petition calling for cancer care reform.
• Reached 1,002 supporters on Change.org backing national pancreatic cancer reform.
• Joined the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition to support international advocacy efforts.

The foundation continues its efforts to inform, empower, and advocate for Canadians facing pancreatic cancer.