Written By:
notices and features - Date published:
10:26 am, February 26th, 2015 - 49 comments
Categories: health, The Standard -
Tags: helen kelly
Oh No.
Union boss: I’ve never smoked and I’ve got lung cancer
The head of the Council of Trade Unions has confirmed she has lung cancer.In an email to union delegates, Helen Kelly says she is undergoing further tests to determine the extent and nature of the cancer.
The 50-year-old says she feels remarkably well – all things considered and that rumours of her “demise” are exaggerated.
…
She doesn’t wish to comment further at this stage.
Helen – all the best from your friends at The Standard. Please respect Helen’s wishes and don’t seek or expect comment.
Best wishes Helen. Get well!
Quick google of lung cancer survival rate:
“For instance, 52 percent, or about half, of people diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer live for at least five years after diagnosis. The five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer that has spread (metastasized) to other areas of the body is 4 percent.”
Kia kaha Helen – big hugs and support to you and your family
Helen, do what makes you happy. Don’t stop doing that. All the good work you have done will be picked up by others . Look after you and yours – knowing people love and respect what you have done. Time for you – for a bit, ah.
+1,000
+100%
Thank you for all the good work you’ve done over the years, Helen, and wishing you all the best for your recovery. Kia kaha.
LOVE LOVE LOVE
There will be heaps of love from here Helen to help you fight this.
The cancer doesn’t know what it’s in for! Kia kaha, Helen.
Keep fighting the good fight Helen. Sincere best wishes and a speedy recovery.
Bah…
You got guts girl and anyone who keeps this Government’s feet to the fire as you have been doing can do anything. be well.
Go well…
Very, very saddened to hear this. I admire Helen Kelly a lot and this hurts.
Best wishes and know there are a lot of people wanting nothing but the best for you.
Gosh darn it. Best wishes to you Helen. Matt knocked his case on the head and I think you will too.
Hope she has been diagnosed early and gets well soon.
Indeed, as a non smoker and assuming an early diagnosis there’s no reason not to expect the best.
All the best to her.
Hope she beats this
you have been one of the few speaking out/up for those who are unrepresented..
..and for that you have my utmost respect..
..aside from that..cliches bubble up..but words fail me..
(except maybe:..’bugger..!’..)
All of the above,
and some words that a good friend found comfort in during their fight, that they won.
“I don’t pretend to understand the Universe – it’s a great deal bigger than I am.”
Thomas Carlyle
All the best Helen. We are thinking of you. Kia Kaha buddy.
Hope she recovers quickly. A friend of mine now a retired marine engineer who has never smoked and is in his 60s has just been diagnosed too with lung cancer! Frightening!
Shitty luck to get the big C when you are not a smoker
Hope the treatment goes well
Wonder if second hand smoke from all those old guys in ” smoke filled rooms” is a factor, not that that matter
Kia kaha
Helen, I have always admired you for your guts and great work. I felt sad reading the news this morning. My very best wishes and prayers are with you. So too I am sure from hundreds of thousands of people all around the country and elsewhere. With your usual temperament, courage, attitude, care and gutsy nature, I think you can beat it. Be strong and take care. Cheers and God bless.
Get well soon. Aotearoa’s labour movement needs you!
Good luck and best wishes
đ
I join the others and hope that there is a good outcome Helen.
Damn.
Go out and beat it Helen…
We’re pretty much all behind you.
Helen is a fighter many more years in her yet.
How ironic watching Question time and idiot Bridges comes on saying the minimum wage is mostly being paid to young people under 25. If that’s young how old is old 100.
Bugger. Kia kaha, Helen. Wishing only the very best for you in every single way. Stay strong and vibrant — indeed, you are the examplar Kiwi virago.
Caring thoughts to a wonderful woman and her family. Go well and GET well…x Heather
Get well fast please Helen!! We all need (and want you to)!
Best wishes from all members of the Cambridge Branch NZLP .
A great fighter like you will certainly over come this set back. Just remember the workers need you .Best best wishes from the workers of the World !!
i wish you and yours the best of luck in the times ahead.
Kia kaha Helen.
All the VERY best Helen xxx
Kia KAHA!
Do a Matt McCarten đ
Penny Bright
Wishing you all the best Helen.
You are a great woman and I admire all the work you have done.
Kia Kaha.
All the best Helen!
Sorry to hear this Helen. A let-up on your schedule and some good quick treatment and the rest and good diet and getting to it quickly, is the answer. Cheers and best wishes for speedy improvement.
I am so sorry to hear that about Helen. She has been a major champion of the working people I say why not me too I should have it also. If you get thru it some how you deserve it .
I beat cancer so I have a good deal of faith that Helen will. Kia kaha, wahine toa. We need you.
Our prayers are behind you Helen, all the very best, you are a great leader. First Union members Far North.
Echo the other well-wishers.
Also my mother had lung cancer – 9 years after giving up smoking. She’s still here 20 years later. Eminently beatable. Best of luck (because sometimes that’s what it is).
Thumbs up and fingers crossed.
Helen Kelly, fight for yourself as you have always fought for workers. With all of your fine being.
All the very best Helen.
Always admired your work ethic and your spirit. I’m sure those aspects put towards your recovery will triumph. All the best.
Damn damn damn – can someone at The Standard please set up a way to donate to a fighting fund for Helen
All the very best Helen and thank you.