What price is dignity
What price is dignity?
“The issue is as plain as the nose on my face,” Chris Sequeira told the audience at HANCA's parliamentary event, Facial Prosthetics: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle, on 12 August in Canberra.
Co-hosted with the Parliamentary Friends of Cancer, Care and Cure Group, the event brought together patients, clinicians and advocates to highlight the urgent need for equitable access to facial prosthetic services across Australia.
Through powerful personal stories and expert insights, attendees heard that facial prostheses are not cosmetic extras, but essential healthcare that can restore confidence, dignity and participation in everyday life following cancer treatment.
Tracey David, from the NSW South Coast, lost her nose to cancer. She was only able to access her $6,500 prosthesis because philanthropic funding was secured on her behalf and now faces uncertainty about future replacements.
As Tracey told the audience: “We are not asking for something cosmetic. We are looking to live with dignity.”
HANCA continues to advocate for national funding for facial prosthetics, ensuring that all Australians who need a facial prosthesis can access timely and affordable care. This includes funding for new and replacement prostheses, clear referral pathways, and support for workforce training and development.
The event attracted coverage from The Canberra Times, Croakey Health Media, ABC Radio, 2GB and Nine News, helping bring this important issue to a national audience.
You can help support this campaign by sharing these stories and contacting your local MP.
Contact Your Local MP | Head and Neck Cancer Australia
Read The Missing Piece of the Puzzle: Facial prosthetics funding
Media coverage
Dr Matthew Magarey speaking on Nine News
2GB Radio interview with Nadia Rosin
