The death has taken place of cervical check cancer campaigner Lynsey Bennett.
The Longford woman is understood to have passed away overnight at her home in Killoe.
The 34-year-old mother of two was diagnosed with an invasive form of cervical cancer in 2017 following the alleged misinterpretation of her cervical smear slides. She settled a legal case against the HSE over the analysis of her slides in February of 2021, shortly after she was told she only had months to live. She received specialist treatments in Mexico and Germany in an effort to keep the cancer at bay and became a vocal advocate for women to avail of smear tests. Speaking after settling her case in February of last year, the Killoe woman said all she wanted to do was secure a better future for her daughters:
VIDEO 🎥 “...and remember, Mammy loves you”
Heartbreaking words from Lynsey Bennett to her two young daughters.
Today, she secured their financial future after settling a case against the HSE and two US labs over an alleged misinterpretation of her smear samples.... pic.twitter.com/PCfaUWqS01— Frank Greaney (@FrankGreaney) February 3, 2021
Her family also issued a statement this afternoon:
'It is with great sadness that the family of Lynsey Bennett wish to announce that Lynsey passed away peacefully last night.
Lynsey was a very special person. Lynsey’s beautiful girls, father, sisters, family and friends are heartbroken at the passing of Lynsey at the young age of 34 years and would appeal for privacy at the moment. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.'
Campaigner Stephen Teap lost his wife Irene to cervical cancer in 2017 and is a founding member of the 221+ Patient Support Group. He says he is overwhelmed with emotions at the shock of learning of Lynsey's death. He described her as a beautiful person and mother, and says his thoughts are with her two little girls.
