ANN MARIE ROGERSCampaigner Ann Marie Rogers, who won a landmark legal victory paving the way for thousands of women, including her, to receive the breast cancer drug Herceptin, died on 2 March, 2009.In 2006 the mother-of-three and grandmother-of-two beat Swindon Primary Care Trust in the courts after they refused to give her the life-prolonging drug.It paved the way for thousands of other UK women to get access to Herceptin on the NHS.She originally lost her High Court case, but took it to the Court of Appeal in April 2006 and emerged victorious, saying “I feel like I've taken on the world and beaten it, not just for me, but for everyone else.”The former restaurant manager from Swindon began her legal fight after having to borrow £5,000 to continue treatment with Herceptin in her battle against breast cancer. She fought alongside Barbara Clark who also received Herceptin and eventually overcame her cancer.Ms Clark paid tribute to her ally saying: “I am very sad that Ann Marie has passed away and it is a great loss to many women because what she did made a huge impact across the country.“When she won her case it had a domino effect across England and that is her legacy. I was with her in court on the day that she won and we just cried because we thought that we had both been given a second chance at life.“Unfortunately, Herceptin hasn't worked for her, but she saved so many lives.”Ms Rogers’ son Lee Woodrough said: “We are all naturally devastated by her death, but we will always be immensely proud of her bravery in fighting for the right to the treatment she deserved.“Every day is precious when you have someone fighting cancer in your family. The treatment gave her that chance to live.“My mum fought the PCT’s decision, not just for herself, but for every single woman who is battling breast cancer. She may have lost her fight against cancer, but thousands of women now, and in the future, will benefit from Herceptin because of her bravery.”
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