It is with great sadness that we report the death of Jacinta Kelleher, who touched hearts around the country with her campaign for a life-saving cancer drug.
According to loved ones, Jacinta passed away this week, following a long battle with the disease.
Jacinta was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2013, and endured several operations for the removal of multiple tumours.
She became well-known in Ireland after launching a campaign for the introduction of the cancer treatment Opdivo.
Unlike in the UK and US, the drug is not routinely available here. And, after being unsuccessfully treated with approved drugs, Opdivo was Jacinta’s only option.
With the drug costing anywhere between €50,000 to €100,000 per year, it would not be possible for Jacinta to get this potentially life-saving treatment without the help of the Irish Government.
And so, last year, Jacinta launched a petition, calling on Minister for Health Simon Harris to oversee the introduction of Opdivo to Ireland; to give her one last chance.
“I am currently battling stage 4 kidney cancer at 34 years of age. I, like many others, deserve a chance to live,” she wrote, at the time.
Jacinta’s campaign garnered nationwide support, leaving her feeling totally overwhelmed.
Throughout her battle, she maintained a fighting attitude and always spoke of the wonderful work of the Irish cancer charity, Arc.
In an interview with MummyPages, she said: “I have bad days – and I’m eternally grateful to Arc…Mentally as well as physically, going through numerous surgeries is tough and, without Arc, I just don’t know if I could keep going,” she said.
Sadly, Jacinta’s fight came to an end earlier this week, with her loving husband David paying tribute to her on Facebook.
“The pain is over for this beautiful angel,” he wrote.
Our thoughts are with Jacinta’s loved ones at this time.
