CANCER VICTIM EMMA: ‘THE FIGHT MUST GO ON’
TERMINAL cancer patient, Emma Mhic Mhathuna has urged the victims of the Cervical Check scandal to fight on and ensure everyone affected by the smear test crisis gets justice.
The Ballydavid resident and mother-of-five – who is terminally ill, following errors in the Cervical Check system – made the comments at a rally, organised to support women affected by Cervical Check, in Tralee Town Square on Saturday afternoon.
The rally was organised by the ‘Standing For Women’ campaign group with people attending encouraged to wear red to show their support for the cause.
Around 100 people were at the rally where Ms Mhic Mhathúna said the review of tests needs to be redirected.
Ms Mhic Mhathúna said it feels as though the review to date has been more focussed on confronting affected women than in finding out how the situation arose and who is responsible.
“So just keep sticking together and fighting for your rights and we’ll get the bottom of it eventually. Don’t let this story die down,” she said.
Following the news that none of the 3,000 smear tests being reviewed as a consequence of the Cervical Check scandal have yet been carried out Ms Mhic-Mhathúna has asked if the smears could be reviewed by volunteers, going so far as to reach out to cytotechnologists online.
“Can any cytologists, who can do some work, PM me. We need to get the 3,000 slides done ASAP, there’s no point waiting for Cervical Check – we need to set this up ourselves,” she wrote on Facebook.
“These ladies need the smears done now. I also need use of a lab if any university can let us use theirs until term resumes. Come on board. If anyone knows a lab for rent let me know also time for talking is over,” she said.
Sinn Féin Cllr Toireasa Ferris – who attended Saturday’s rally in Tralee – called on people to support the many women affected by the scandal.
“Standing for Women are looking for mandatory open disclosure to be enacted immediately.” said Cllr Ferris.
“Let’s show the government that these women are more than a number.” Cllr Ferris said.