Family lead campaign to change policy on cancer therapy access

ILLNESS BATTLE Catherine Sherry died from cancer

- BY DONAL MCMAHON

A YOUNG mum in the North battling cancer died after having to travel to London for treatment that was available 60 miles down the road, councillors have been told.

Councillors heard that Catherine Sherry, who passed away earlier this year, faced “repeated air travel while she was severely immuno-suppressed”.

It weakened the 42-year-old Co Down mother “and left her unable to fight the infection which led to her death”.

The death was behind a motion at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) this week amid ongoing anger over how the mum-of-three had to travel to London for CART cell treatment despite it being available in Dublin.

The Council approved the motion linking air travel to London to the toll on Mrs Sherry’s health, while an option for a short drive from home to a Dublin hospital might have saved her.