Tributes have poured in as Cork cancer campaigner Natasha O’Byrne has passed away, aged 26.
The mother of two, originally from Inishannon in Cork but who was living in Blackpool in England, was a fearless campaigner for people to get tested for cancers at all ages after she was diagnosed with bowel cancer at a young age.
Ms O’Byrne, who also organised the Concert for Cancer earlier this year alongside Nathan Carter, passed away ‘after an illness bravely borne, surrounded by her loving family and in the tender and exceptional care of the staff of GB Ward, Cork University Hospital’ on December 23.
Ms O’Byrne is the dearly loved wife of her husband, Red, and the much-adored mother of Emilija and Max. Dearly loved daughter of Anthony and the late Tracy, loving sister of Roy and the late Michael, cherished granddaughter of Marie and daughter-in-law of Jasenka.
Ms O’Byrne was the third generation of her family to have been diagnosed with the disease, after her grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and her mum passed away from lung cancer in 2020.
‘Between my grandmother and my mom, the ICS have been a part of our family since the early 2000s, so we’re just trying to raise as much money for them as possible,’ Ms O’Byrne told the Irish Examiner ahead of the Concert for Cancer, which raised money for the Irish Cancer Society earlier this year.
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'[The concert] will go toward clinical trials, night nurses for palliative care, and volunteers who transport chemotherapy patients to and from treatment. We want as many people to survive cancer as possible.’
Tributes have poured in for Ms O’Byrne following her passing, with one writing: ‘My deepest sympathies to Tasha’s family and beautiful children at this heartbreaking time. Tasha was such a gorgeous friendly girl, taken too soon. Rest in peace Tasha x.’
‘A shock to hear Natasha was an absolute sweetheart my condolence to her family may she rest in peace xx,’ another wrote, while another added ‘Natasha worked tirelessly on the recent Concert for Cancer, and pulled off such an amazing event. I was so very lucky to have worked with, and met Natasha for the short few months leading up to the concert. Rest in Peace.’
Ms O’Byrne will be reposing at Coughlan’s Funeral Home in Shandon Street, Co Cork on St Stephen’s Day (Friday, December 26), from 1pm The family will be in attendance from 3pm with prayers at 4pm.
Requiem mass will take place on Saturday, December 27 at 10am in the Church of the Annunciation, Blackpool, Co Cork. Those who are attending the mass are asked to wear bright colours to honour her memory.
Funeral afterwards to St Catherine’s Cemetery, Kilcully.
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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