She is set to receive her award this evening.
Irish cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan has shared what it means to be awarded the Freedom of Limerick from Limerick City and County Council.
Phelan was awarded the honour for her work in uncovering the CervicalCheck scandal and its impact on so many Irish women.
She is set to formally receive the award at a small ceremony today.
Mayor Daniel Butler initially nominated Phelan, but the decision to award it to her was unanimous.
At the time, he said: “Vicky has faced and continues to face her health challenges head on, with a drive and determination that has garnered the respect and admiration of all.”
Speaking ahead of the ceremony on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Vicky said that she is “honoured” to receive the Freedom of Limerick.
She said: “It’s great to highlight that women are well up there with the likes of Paul O’Connell and all the other people who went before me.
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“It’s nice to see they are awarding people for civic duties and for standing up and speaking on behalf of others who don’t have a voice.”
Vicky also talked about how over Christmas she tried to see as many people as possible.
She said: “I did make a conscious decision over the holidays because I didn’t know where things were going with this and how much longer I have.
“I saw as many people as I could because I thought, ‘Do you know what? If I’m going to get Covid, I’m going to get Covid, but I can’t not see my family because I don’t know if I’m going to see them again’, and that’s my situation and my reality.”
Vicky also thanked the healthcare professionals on her team.
She said: “I’ve a great palliative team and a great oncology team, and they both talk to each other frequently so they know what everyone is doing.”
