KEY POINTS:
She might be too young to vote, but incurable brain tumour patient Eilish Wilkes has given a damning verdict on the two main parties.
In an open letter to the incoming prime minister, the 12-year-old Auckland girl said she wouldn't vote Labour or National because she wasn't sure
they would listen to her.
Eilish was diagnosed with the tumour nine years ago and needs constant attention. It runs through the middle of her brain, restricting her vision and forcing her to take anti-nausea medication.
Much of her medicine is not covered by Pharmac funding, leaving her parents Kathie and Pat _ chairman of the Child Cancer Foundation in Auckland _ to fork out $200 a month on drugs.
Eilish featured in the final leaders' debate on TV One on Wednesday, when she and her mum asked if either of the two main parties were prepared to offer financial help to people with "desperately ill children".
Neither leader gave a firm commitment to funding, much to Kathie's frustration. "I think Helen was more sympathetic, but I think neither of them really answered the question.
"They avoided it because it is a can of worms, because if you make a promise to one family you have to do it for others."
Despite the responses, Kathie said she would vote National. She was "fond" of Clark but disliked Michael Cullen and said her electorate MP, National's Jonathan Coleman, had "genuinely taken an interest about what is happening in his area".
Like her daughter, Kathie called on the incoming government to do more to help families in their situation.
"We are lucky because my husband has a good job. A lot of families are crippled by the costs of medication and daily costs.
"I wish we owned shares in Wilson Parking at the hospital, it is so expensive."
Kathie said her "brilliant" husband, great friends and the medical team at Auckland Starship hospital kept her going.
She knew each operation could be Eilish's last, but she said her youngest daughter, who loves playing the piano and drawing, remained positive, telling her: "It's not how long you are here, but what you do with how long you are here".
"She says, `Mum, it might just sit and do nothing for awhile', but she is very aware we can't get rid of it.
"But we do feel privileged. When Eilish was diagnosed it was a difficult time, but I do see my darling girl as a gift."
