CANCER TREATMENT campaigner Cathy Durkin (42) was “a true inspiration to so many people”, mourners at her funeral in Holy Trinity Church in Dublin were told yesterday.
Donaghmede parish priest Fr Eoin McCrystal said Ms Durkin campaigned to make the cancer drug Ipilimumab, popularly known as Ipi, available out of a sense of justice not only for her children, but also for other cancer sufferers.
He said she had determination, compassion and genuinely cared for others.
“As a family you can be very proud of Cathy and all that she has achieved as part of this campaign because she was a true inspiration to so many people,” he said.
The church in Donaghmede was packed with people paying their last respects to the mother of three whose brave fight for the release of the drug did not save her, but may well save the lives of others.
Her husband Michael, children Alex (11), Alyssa (8) and Conor (4), parents, sister and brother were surrounded by extended family and friends.
Among the mourners were children from the local primary school St Francis of Assisi National School, where her two older children are pupils and where her youngest child will begin his education in September.
All three children began the funeral Mass by taking personal mementos of their mother to the altar, including a camera, an apron and books.
Fr McCrystal, who officiated with Baldoyle curate Fr Ronnie Dunne, said the children had their mother’s generous heart, strength, determination, good humour and spirit.
“Cathy was particularly glad the children dance like their mammy and not like their daddy,” he said.
Ms Durkin, who died on Saturday morning at St Vincent’s hospital, Dublin, was diagnosed with ocular melanoma last year.
She went public with her story last April and as a result of her campaigning, Ipilimumab, which had been deemed too expensive to be made available on the health system, was released. Ms Durkin began treatment with the drug in May.
Prayers were said at the Mass for her family, friends and medical staff as well as for all those with cancer and those receiving Ipilimumab, “that it would lead to success in their treatment”.
Giving the eulogy, Celine Hopkins said her sister, a chef, was a “devoted wife and mother, a beloved daughter, great sister and a loyal friend”. She loved to take care of people and was “a truly gentle soul”.
It had been a huge shock to her family and friends when she was diagnosed with ocular cancer. She said Ms Durkin was very touched by all the support she received from the public after telling her story.
“She told her story so bravely and with such courage and dignity that she captured the heart of a nation,” Ms Hopkins said.
She had left an “amazing legacy” by ensuring no one would have to fight to have access to the drug, but to her family, her real legacy was “her loving spirit, kind nature, her strength and her courage”.
A round of applause and Somewhere Over the Rainbow echoed round the church as Ms Durkin’s coffin was removed to Glasnevin crematorium.
