It’s been exactly one year since Cervical Check campaigner Vicky Phelan sadly passed away.
The mum-of-two died at Milford Hospice in Co. Limerick in the early hours of November 14, 2022.
The Kilkenny native was just 48 years old.
Vicky underwent a smear test for cervical cancer in 2011, and although her test showed no abnormalities – she was diagnosed with cervical cancer three years later.
An internal CervicalCheck review found that her original result was incorrect, but the Kilkenny native was not informed of this fact until 2017.
In April 2018, Vicky was awarded €2.5m in damages in the High Court over the error, and her story led to the CervicalCheck scandal.
At the time, she stood at the steps of the High Court and gave an impassioned speech about how the system had horrendously let her down, and cost her her life.
It subsequently emerged that over 221 women with cervical cancer had initially been given the all-clear based on smear tests carried out by the CervicalCheck screening programme.
Vicky went on to establish a support group for the women affected by the scandal with fellow cervical cancer campaigner Lorraine Walsh and Stephen Teap, whose wife Irene died from the disease.
The cervical check scandal is now known as one of the worst women’s health scandals in Irish history.
After receiving her terminal diagnosis, Vicky used her platform to fight for justice, and highlighted the lack of cancer treatments available in Ireland.
One of her many achievements was her fight to have the 221 women affected by the scandal given access to an experimental drug called Pembro free of charge.
Vicky’s intensive lobbying campaign was successful, and the state eventually agreed to extend the treatment to all cervical cancer patients.
In 2019, the mum-of-two penned an award-winning memoir called Overcoming, in which she shared her remarkable, wider personal story.
The Kilkenny native was on Pembro for almost three years before she became aware it was no longer working for her at the end of 2020.
In January 2021, Vicky subsequently travelled to the US to undergo a clinical trial for months.
But that October, the Kilkenny native revealed that she had to return to Ireland to receive palliative chemotherapy, after discovering new tumours in her body.
Vicky was about to start proton beam therapy to shrink the tumours in her lower back, but was no longer eligible for the new treatment after doctors discovered more tumours in her neck, and one on her bowel.
A docu-film about her life, called Vicky, premiered in Irish cinemas last year and received rave reviews.
Vicky sadly passed away aged 48 in the early hours of this morning at Milford Hospice in Limerick.
The late 48-year-old is survived by her two children – Amelia, 17, and Darragh, 11.
After news of her untimely death broke, tributes flooded in for Vicky on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Irish journalist and political correspondent Aoife Moore, wrote: “Every woman in Ireland owes Vicky a debt of gratitude.”
“We are a better country for her being in it. This didn’t have to happen and I am devastated that it did. Rest in peace, Vicky.”
Former 2FM presenter Louise McSharry tweeted: “I have so much respect and admiration for Vicky Phelan’s refusal to go down quietly, and her unbelievably generous advocacy for other women. Thinking of her family and all who loved her. May she rest in peace.”
Virgin Media News’ Richard Chambers wrote: “Heartbreaking news. We’ve lost an incredible and courageous campaigner; a champion for the voiceless and someone who refused to accept things as they are.”
“She was a wonderful and funny woman who was always left you feeling better having talked to her.”
I have so much respect and admiration for Vicky Phelan’s refusal to go down quietly, and her unbelievably generous advocacy for other women. Thinking of her family and all who loved her. May she rest in peace. https://t.co/5aE6VEKudL
— Louise McSharry (@louisemcsharry) November 14, 2022
At the time, former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy paid tribute to his late friend Vicky at the beginning of the show, saying:”Before we begin tonight’s show, let me and let us remember Vicky Phelan. I mentioned this during the week but I’m going to say it again; because some people are simply too alive to die, and Vicky Phelan was one such person.”
“We knew this would end badly, we knew that this story would end sadly but, to be honest with you, it was still such a shock to all of us when the news came through that Vicky had died.”
“Our thoughts tonight are with the family and friends of Vicky Phelan. We’re thinking of Darragh and Amelia and Jim, and Vicky’s parents Gabby and John. We’re gonna honour Vicky in our small way tonight, we’re gonna acknowledge the impact she had on this country and women and on families and on the system.”
“Through her refusal to be silenced she saved lives, and few people in recent Irish history have made such a profound difference on women’s healthcare and how patients are treated. She fought the system while she herself was suffering.”
““She was honest, she was a straight-talker and when she talked, the country listened. So, tonight we’ve lost an ally and an advocate – the likes of which we are unlikely to ever see again.”
“I was lucky enough to interview Vicky many times here and if I may say, personally, when I think about her, I remember her dignity, and her tenacity, and her courage, but also her devilment – because she was a fun person to be around as well, let’s not lose sight of that.”
“She was fun, she was quick with a laugh and she was forever airing, beautifully, on the side of joy. You always knew when Vicky Phelan was in the room, a natural leader, she was possibly the best President this country never had.”
“She made a point of squeezing so much into her final years. As she died, Vicky taught the rest of us really how to live,” Ryan continued. “Let’s just say, for now, may she rest in peace. A peace that she so richly deserves.”
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