Jane Bailey's eyes were opened to the huge pressure on cancer services when her husband Ciaran was diagnosed with cancer last year.
As a nurse, she was already familiar with some of the shortcomings in the health service, but she feels the lack of resources in cancer screening, treatment and care is criminal.
"Patients are dying in this State because they can't get radiotherapy and I see nothing in the Budget or Health Strategy to prioritise cancer," Ms Bailey said.
The couple live with their two children, Laurie and Ella, in Dunmore East, Co Waterford.
Ms Bailey is particularly aggrieved at the failure of the Government to extend breast and cervical screening programmes nationwide.
"It shows a lack of political commitment to tackle the second biggest killer in Ireland."
This is not just an issue for cancer patients, Ms Bailey argues. "Thousands of families are going to be devastated by the failure to implement basic health screening."
Mr Ciaran Bailey's cancer was diagnosed at a late stage but he has recovered after treatment. "The lack of resources in the oncology department was very, very clear to us.
"The only thing keeping the service going was the dedication of the doctors and nurses," Ms Bailey said.