Vicky Phelan in her own words: ‘I have mended all my bridges… I think life is too short’

Cervical Check campaigner Vicky Phelan died this week, at the age of 48.

The campaigner was a fond friend of the Women’s Podcast and over the years she joined us on a number of occasions, sharing her story and her journey through treatment.

First in 2018, just 10 days after she went public with her story. Then again in 2019 following the publication of her memoir Overcoming and finally in May 2021, when she spoke to us in front of a live audience from Maryland in the United States for The Big Night In, during her time taking part in a drug trial.

In this episode, we’ll bring you three extracts from those conversations, in which Vicky spoke poignantly about her fight for justice, the other difficulties she faced throughout her life and the importance of speaking openly about death.

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Speaking to Roisín Ingle on her final appearance, Vicky reflected on the years since her diagnosis and how it changed her perspective on life.

“In some respects I feel blessed that I have had this time, there are things that people don’t say to each other until it’s too late, I have mended all my bridges because I think life is too short”.

You can listen back to the full episode in the player above, or wherever you get your podcasts.