Anthony Albanese recalls his own mother’s rheumatoid arthritis while supporting new research aiming for a cure.
A delegation of Arthritis Australia representatives was in Canberra this week to mark the 75th anniversary of the peak body.
Chair Kaylene Hubbard and interim CEO Louise Hardy were among the group joined by prime minister Anthony Albanese, assistant health minister Rebecca White, and Parliamentary Friends of Arthritis co-chairs Senator Helen Polley, shadow assistant regional health minister Sam Birrell MP, and Senator Jordan Steele-John.
This group plays an important role in advocating for policies that enhance the quality of life for those affected by arthritis, ensuring their voices are heard in the parliamentary context.
Writing on social media, Ms Hardy said AA had been delighted to be joined by the parliamentarians and members of the community.
She also called out another special guest – rheumatologist and researcher Associate Professor David Champion AM, who treated Mr Albanese’s late mother for many years.
“The prime minister has spoken many times about the profound impact of his mother’s battle with rheumatoid arthritis,” Ms Hardy said.
“There have been incredible advances in treatment in recent years, but people with rheumatoid arthritis still face a lifetime of immunosuppressive medication, complications and side effects.”
Professor Champion told Rheumatology Republic it had been an honour to have the opportunity for a one-to-one meeting with the prime minister.
Professor Champion is regarded as one of the founders of rheumatology care in Australia. He is currently an honorary associate at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Department of Pain Medicine, and Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of NSW’s School of Clinical Medicine.
He was made Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2018 for “significant service to medicine in the field of paediatric rheumatology, and to medical research and treatment of musculoskeletal pain”, and in 2020 received the Australian Pain Society’s Distinguished Member Award in recognition of his “major contribution towards the APS and … significant clinical, educational and research role in the field of pain management in Australia”.
Professor Champion said this was the first time in some 40 years he had seen the prime minister, “except for on television”.
“He was very warm and we had a one-to-one meeting in his office for about 15 to 20 minutes, which was amazing,” he told RR.
The pair talked politics and reminisced about Mr Albanese’s mum.
The pair talked about the surgical expertise of Dr Frank Robertson, who had operated on her hands and feet with outstanding success.
The prime minister also expressed interest in the Reset Rheumatoid Arthritis project, which received an $11 million federal government grant through the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.
Queensland rheumatologist Professor Ranjeny Thomas is leading the project to develop a ground-breaking treatment that could put rheumatoid arthritis into remission and eliminate the need for lifelong immunotherapy.
Professor Champion told RR he had the opportunity to be briefed on the project by Professor Thomas prior to his meeting with Mr Albanese, and this had allowed them to have a well-informed discussion.
The funding has allowed the Reset Rheumatoid Arthritis project to progress beyond its promising early-phase trials, to develop a second-generation product for testing in future clinical trials.
“I was able to explain a bit about the project and he was very interested,” said Professor Champion.
He said it was clear that rheumatoid arthritis was a subject close to the prime minister’s heart, given his experience caring for his mum.
“I was her rheumatologist at a critical phase in her illness, which was already advanced by the time I saw her,” Professor Champion said.
“[Mr Albanese] was very grateful at the improvements achieved by his mother through surgery and treatment, and this allowed him to be freer to engage in his life’s activities.
“Otherwise he was her full-time carer. He was a very good son, I have to say. He cared for her very well.”
Writing on social media, where he posted a photo of himself with Professor Champion, Mr Albanese also reflected on his mother’s experience with rheumatoid arthritis.
“David Champion looked after my mum when rheumatoid arthritis crippled her joints,” the prime minister wrote.
“She was an invalid pensioner and she relied on access to affordable healthcare.
“Because of Medicare – and doctors like Dr Champion – she got the treatment she needed.
“Now we’re building on the promise of Medicare: cheaper medicines, more free GP visits and more free Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.
“Because no matter your circumstances, every Australian deserves quality healthcare.”
