Gerry Collins Dies Of Lung Cancer

The HSE has offered its sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Gerry Collins, who features in the current HSE QUIT smoking campaign, who died from tobacco-related lung cancer yesterday.

Director General of the Health Services, Mr. Tony O'Brien, commented: "Gerry and his family have made a unique contribution to the health and wellbeing of our society by working with us on the QUIT campaign. I would like to express my sincere sympathy to his family and friends on Gerry's passing and also to express thanks for the enormous contribution they have made to reducing tobacco use in Ireland.

"The response to Gerry's bravery in sharing his story, of a diagnosis of terminal lung cancer as a result of smoking, through the QUIT campaign has been simply extraordinary. We estimate that over 60,000 people in Ireland have made a quit attempt this year, thanks to Gerry; something his family and friends can be deeply proud of."

Dr. Stephanie O'Keeffe, National Director of Health & Wellbeing, said: "People in Ireland got to know and admire Gerry through the powerful TV adverts and films he and his family made as part of the QUIT campaign. We are all deeply saddened to learn of Gerry's death, and we send our condolences to his children, family and friends.

"Gerry's work as an anti-tobacco campaigner dates back to 2011, but it was Gerry's sharing of his story of a diagnosis of terminal lung cancer caused by smoking, earlier this year, that struck a powerful chord with all of who heard it. The response from the public, and more importantly from smokers making quit attempts, has been phenomenal. We know that Gerry has saved lives and helped many people avoid the pain, illness and loss that are caused by smoking."

(CD)