Tag Archives: John Wall

LONDON LADY Catherine had been planning to move back to the West of Ireland to enjoy a slower pace of life, when she found herself grappling with a cancer diagnosis.  It was the persuasion of her son that brought her to the door of Gort Cancer Support. Despite some initial hesitancy, Catherine crossed the threshold of Hollyblue House to discover services that have proven to be hugely beneficial to her. “I don’t know what to call them angels or saints,” she told The Champion. “When you come here you never talk about cancer and there’s a beautiful, peaceful vibe. You definitely feel better after a visit.” With welcome signs in English and Portuguese, Gort Cancer Support is a truly inclusive place. All kinds of services are available from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), prosthesis fittings, and reflexology to play therapy. Practical services are offered by a fleet of volunteer drivers who take people to appointments. The service is coordinated from this …

A Quin-based terminally ill cancer patient has paid tribute to the late CervicalCheck campaigner, Vicky Phelan for leaving a legacy that will save lives in future generations. Ms Phelan, (48), who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014,  died early on Monday morning in Milford Hospice, Co Limerick surrounded by her family. The Kilkenny woman, who had moved to live in Limerick, exposed the controversy around the national screening programme CervicalCheck, where she and other women were not informed that cervical cancer smear test results showing them to be in the clear were actually inaccurate. Speaking from Milford Hospice on Monday, John Wall said while family and friends knew Vicky would die at some stage, they could never be prepared for losing someone who has left such an indelible mark on peoples’ lives. In the first instance, he said Vicky would be remembered as a great mother, wife, sister, who had left a grieving husband, Jim, and her children, Amelia …

PATIENTS shouldn’t feel the need to request politicians to assist them with medical card applications, according to a local health campaigner. John Wall, a terminally ill prostate cancer patient campaigning for people with a terminal diagnosis to have improved access to medical cards, is working to make it easier for people to access medical cards as part of his role on a new government committee. Mr Wall is a patient advocate on Communications and Information Working Group on Medical Cards, which also includes representatives from the Irish Cancer Society, Irish Hospice Foundation, Age Action Ireland and Citizen’s Information. The Quin resident believes it is vital that clear information is provided to applicants on how to access medical cards. “I am not looking from this group to change the rules that are in place. I am trying to use the rules that are in place to allow people to access services that are in place using medical cards.” Following a meeting …

A Quin-based terminally ill cancer patient has recalled his “amazing emotional experience” after completing an unplanned climb of Croagh Patrick with former RTE journalist, Charlie Bird last Saturday. It is estimated that more than €2 million has been raised by the “Climb with Charlie” charity treks for Pieta House and Motor Neurone Ireland. John Wall decided to travel to Westport with a group of friends in a show of solidarity for cancer patients Vicky Phelan and Brian Lynch, but had no plans to climb Croagh Patrick because he felt he wouldn’t be physically able and had no prior training. However, after travelling to the base of the mountain he climbed about one third of they way up on his own and was going to turn back after two others had gone ahead on the ascent. “I decided I would get to another peak and go down again. Then I did the flat section in the middle section before arriving at …

A QUIN man, who has terminal cancer, is to receive his Covid-19 vaccination on Friday and has urged the government do all it can to avoid any repeat of the Beacon Hospital row. John Wall spoke out on the national airwaves over the weekend, following revelations that left-over vaccine doses were administered by the private hospital to some of the staff of a fee-paying school in Wicklow. “I didn’t expect the item to get the time or traction that it did on the Saturday show with Katie Hannon,” said Mr Wall who has stage four prostate cancer. “To be able to put questions and react to the comments of a junior minister was a real, real bonus in terms of highlighting the frustration and anger of those who in Cohort 4 and in 4A, who are really seriously ill, and who cannot get clarity on when or where they will get a vaccine.” Mr Wall said the Beacon story left …

A Quin-based patient advocate has pledged to continue monitoring government plans to introduce legislation extending medical cards to any patient with a terminal diagnosis of up to two years. John Wall, who is living with prostate cancer, got a terminal diagnosis in July 2017. In March 2018, he travelled to University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven in Belgium, and admitted without this treatment in this public hospital, he wouldn’t be still alive. The air traffic controller said there is also need to make the application process to obtain a medical card and information provided to patients more user friendly. “The campaign doesn’t stop. I will be taking a break, but there is a body of work to be completed in terms of the application process for medical cards and the information that has to be provided to patients and their families.” John recalled the late Laura Brennan, Ennis, who campaigned extensively to increase the take up of the HPV vaccine, before she …

CONTROVERSIAL legislation which seeks to give those with a terminal illness the right to authorise voluntary, assisted dying, is being backed by a prominent Clare health campaigner. John Wall, who has a terminal cancer diagnosis, said that the Dying with Dignity Bill, which has been introduced to the Dáil by Deputy Gino Kenny, is about offering a choice so that people can die peacefully. Mr Wall has now added his voice to those including cervical screening campaigner Vicky Phelan, who are calling for a mature debate on the issue of assisted dying. “There are many people with terminal illnesses who die peacefully,” the Quin resident said. “There are others, sadly, who don’t. Some cancers ravage the body and the mind and, for a fraction of people, no amount of medication will allow them to pass with dignity. You have to ask if there is a need for someone to die in pain, or drugged to the point where they don’t …

A CLARE man has been instrumental in bringing together some of the country’s biggest musical acts to raise funds for The Marie Keating Foundation. Quin resident John Wall, who has stage-four prostate cancer, is among the team behind the Concert4Cancer event which will be broadcast on Virgin Media One on Friday night (August 28), with aim of raising €1m for services around Ireland. To-date Gary Barlow, Gavin James, Kodaline, Nathan Carter, Paddy Casey, Lisa McHugh, Hot House Flowers, Brian Kennedy, Lisa Lamb and a host of other stars, have recorded performances for the event. Their performances will be interspersed with messages from Mr Wall, Vicky Phelan, Stephen Teap and others affected by cancer. The event will be hosted by Anna Daly who will update audiences on live fundraising. The concert, which is sponsored by Permanent TSB, will also include a special performance from Riverdance to mark the 25th anniversary of its inaugural performance at Eurovision. “The work of the Marie …