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A voice for people with migraine in Aotearoa Sarah Cahill is one of three co-founders of Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand, the only charity supporting people with migraine in New Zealand. A s a former registered nurse now working as a medical writer, Sarah recognised the lack of support, advocacy, awareness and information for people with migraine in New Zealand during her own journey to better understand and improve her own migraine disease. “I realised there was no real migraine voice in New Zealand and it felt like migraine wasn’t being taken seriously as a disabling neurological disease,” Sarah says. “For a condition that affects so many people, I was concerned there was no charity, no support groups, very little New Zealand-specific information and no one advocating for newer migraine medications available overseas to be made accessible in New Zealand.” Sarah was sure there were other women like her trying to better understand and manage their own condition, with migraine affecting two to three times more women than men. “I felt quite on my own, though I knew so many others in New Zealand must be facing similar challenges that I was.” Sarah connected with Dr Fiona Imlach and Suzanne Vale, both living with migraine and frustrated by the migraine landscape in New Zealand. Together they founded Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand in 2022. Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand’s mission is to raise awareness of the impact of migraine disease and support the estimated 753,000 people living with migraine in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Migraine Foundation has now grown to a core team of five unpaid volunteers, and is supported by its Clinical Advisory Group of six health professionals. The Migraine Foundation has made an immediate impact. During 2022 it ran the first nationwide survey asking people with migraine about their experiences of living with migraine and the impact migraine disease has on their lives. This research led to ongoing media attention; the publication of three research articles in medical journals; and has helped it successfully advocate for three new migraine-specific preventive medications to be added to Pharmac's Options for Investment list. The Migraine Foundation was also successful in advocating for migraine questions to be included in the 2024/25 New Zealand Health Survey. “We finally have some up-to-date and relevant information about migraine in New Zealand, which is vital for raising awareness about the true impact it has on people’s lives,” Sarah says. “We’re also steadfast in our resolve that everyone with migraine in New Zealand should have access to the most appropriate migraine-specific medication. Not just those who can afford it,” Sarah says. “We’re also steadfast in our resolve that everyone with migraine in New Zealand should have access to the most appropriate migraine-specific medication. Not just those who can afford it,” Sarah Cahill The Migraine Foundation has published 23 key insights from its survey on its website www.migrainefoundation.org.nz 8 Headlines