Tag Archives: Laura Brennan

THE lives of two of Ennis’ best known figures are to be remembered in the county capital this Wednesday evening, June 23. A memorial plaque will be unveiled at 6.30pm at the Queen’s Hotel dedicated to the late Laura Brennan. While at 7.15pm, the late Michael Tierney and his dog Paddy will be remembered opposite Ennis Cathedral with a plaque dedicated in their memory. Unveiling the plaques will be Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Councillor Mary Howard in one of her last functions in the role. “For many years I have tried to have something permanent in the town of Ennis to remember the larger than life character that was the late Michael Tierney. Last June when I became Mayor of Clare I promised that both Michael and Laura Brennan would have a permanent presence in the town, my term is finished on Friday,” she said. All are welcome to attend, with plans underway for an event to be held …

CONCERNS shared by the family of the late Laura Brennan about the effect Covid-19 has had on the roll-out of the HPV vaccine have been highlighted in the Seanad. Senator Martin Conway has urged the government to “think outside the box”, suggesting Covid-19 vaccination centres could be used to administer the HPV vaccine alongside drafting in pharmacists. The Fine Gael Senator recalled the “phenomenal work” that Laura Brennan did in promoting the vaccine prior to her death. “We are all fully aware of the immense challenges that have been posed by the Covid-19 pandemic but this vaccine is extremely important. It is critical to the future health of girls and boys,” he said. He continued, “The pandemic caused difficulties, particularly in the delivery of the programme within schools. It is well-recognised that giving the vaccine in schools has resulted in a significantly higher uptake. We need to think outside the box. “We have had vaccine capacity in some of the …

AN Ennis car dealership and the Clare Senior Hurling Team are helping to drive the campaign by late Laura Brennan’s family to raise awareness of the HPV vaccine. On Saturday the Sheils Motor Group presented Senior Hurling manager Brian Lohan alongside players Conor Cleary, David Fitzgerald and David Reidy, and kitman Niall Romer, with their new kit van. For the second year in a row the van has been emblazoned with the HPV vaccine logo, highlighting Laura’s message to get the vaccine and save lives. Laura’s parents Bernie and Larry were at the presentation to see first-hand how much their daughter continues to be an inspiration two years after her tragic passing. Larry told The Champion, “We are truly thankful to T Sheils, the management and staff, for continuing Laura’s legacy in this way by putting the HPV logo on the side of the van along with the hashtag ‘Thank You Laura’, and to Brian Lohan and the Clare senior …

AN OPEN letter has been sent by the family of the late campaigner Laura Brennan appealing to health officials to reinstate the HPV vaccination scheme for teens. As the second anniversary of the Ennis woman’s untimely death from cervical cancer approaches, her family fear that the vaccination campaign, to which Laura dedicated her final years and months, is being thrown off course by pandemic restrictions. Laura’s work with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Health Service Executive (HSE), led to uptake rates for the HPV vaccine surpassing 80% nationally and 90% in Clare. Pandemic restrictions and school closures have disrupted the HPV vaccination programme normally available, free-of-charge, to boys and girls in first year at secondary school. The HSE describes the scheme as “paused” because school vaccination teams are currently involved in the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines. “We are all fully aware of the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on our country and the strain it has put on …

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 …

A DOCUMENTARY which followed the final months in the life of Laura Brennan has been given a prestigious international award. Laura Brennan: This is Me has won a Gold Award at the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards. The award was presented in the Health / Media Information category. The film which documents Laura’s battle with cervical cancer at just 26 and her campaigning work to increase uptake of the HPV vaccine was made by RTÉ. Reacting to the win, producer Sinead Kennedy commented, “Laura would have been so proud and rightly so! She gave everything to ensure her voice was heard. Well, it’s being heard around the world Laura.” On behalf of the Brennan family, Laura’s brother Kevin expressed congratulations to the team behind the film. “Particular praise goes to Sally Roden (Executive Producer), Sinead Kennedy (Producer) and Kenny Mac Giola Phadraig (Director and Editor). The award relates to the documentary by RTÉ following the final chapters in …

Today (March 20) marks the first anniversary of the death of HPV vaccine campaigner, Laura Brennan. The 26 year old Ennis woman lost her battle with terminal cancer having emerged, during her illness, as one of Ireland’s leading patient advocates and campaigners for the HPV vaccine. In a statement this morning on social media, the Brennan family paid tribute to their daughter and sister. “We remember with love our daughter and sister Laura, on this the first anniversary of her passing from us. The last twelve months has seen the HPV uptake rate nationally increase from the initial drop of 51% to 80%, while in county Clare the increase has been 90%. In addition the vaccine has been extended to first year boys in secondary schools. The support from schools, sporting organisations, businesses and the media towards the HPV Jersey Campaign has exceeded 10,000,” the statement read. “As regards the HPV vaccine, it has been extended to the UK, USA, …

THE late Laura Brennan was remembered very fondly at a service of remembrance in Ennis Cathedral on Wednesday afternoon. Laura’s father Larry paid tribute “to the many people who have supported the family including, the people of Ennis who have wrapped their arms around us since Laura went public with her campaign.” The cathedral was packed and heard from chief celebrant, Fr Pat Malone that Laura “is testimony to a great truth, that one person can make a difference.” Among the hundreds of people who attended were Colonel Liam Condon, Aide de Camp to President Michael D Higgins, Caroline Burke, Aide de Camp to An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, Health Minister, Simon Harris and RTE broadcaster, Ryan Tubridy. They heard Laura described by Fr Malone as “a selfless giver who spent her energy to her last so that others may be spared the ill health that she experienced.” Laura had been laid to rest earlier in Drumcliff Cemetery in Ennis at …