All the best Helen Kelly

Written By: - Date published: 10:26 am, February 26th, 2015 - 49 comments
Categories: health, The Standard - Tags:

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.

49 comments on “All the best Helen Kelly ”

  1. One Anonymous Bloke 1

    Best wishes Helen. Get well!

  2. Lanthanide 2

    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.”

  3. Kia kaha Helen – big hugs and support to you and your family

  4. adam 4

    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.

  5. Olwyn 5

    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.

  6. Dorothy 6

    LOVE LOVE LOVE
    There will be heaps of love from here Helen to help you fight this.

  7. The cancer doesn’t know what it’s in for! Kia kaha, Helen.

  8. Atiawa 8

    Keep fighting the good fight Helen. Sincere best wishes and a speedy recovery.

  9. Tracey 9

    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.

  10. Bill 10

    Go well…

  11. RedLogix 11

    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.

  12. Colonial Rawshark 12

    Gosh darn it. Best wishes to you Helen. Matt knocked his case on the head and I think you will too.

  13. fisiani 13

    Hope she has been diagnosed early and gets well soon.

    • northshoredoc 13.1

      Indeed, as a non smoker and assuming an early diagnosis there’s no reason not to expect the best.

      All the best to her.

  14. Puckish Rogue 14

    Hope she beats this

  15. 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..!’..)

  16. freedom 16

    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

  17. mary_a 17

    All the best Helen. We are thinking of you. Kia Kaha buddy.

  18. johnm 18

    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!

  19. Ray 19

    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

  20. Clemgeopin 20

    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.

  21. mickysavage 21

    Get well soon. Aotearoa’s labour movement needs you!

  22. McFlock 22

    Good luck and best wishes

  23. millsy 23

    🙁

  24. ianmac 24

    I join the others and hope that there is a good outcome Helen.

  25. lprent 25

    Damn.

    Go out and beat it Helen…

    We’re pretty much all behind you.

  26. Skinny 26

    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.

  27. rawshark-yeshe 27

    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.

  28. Heather Grimwood 28

    Caring thoughts to a wonderful woman and her family. Go well and GET well…x Heather

  29. thechangeling 29

    Get well fast please Helen!! We all need (and want you to)!

  30. 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 !!

  31. gsays 31

    i wish you and yours the best of luck in the times ahead.

  32. Saarbo 32

    Kia kaha Helen.

  33. Penny Bright 33

    All the VERY best Helen xxx

    Kia KAHA!

    Do a Matt McCarten 🙂

    Penny Bright

  34. ankerawshark 34

    Wishing you all the best Helen.

    You are a great woman and I admire all the work you have done.

    Kia Kaha.

  35. pohutukawakid 35

    All the best Helen!

  36. greywarshark 36

    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.

  37. disatraught 37

    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 .

  38. Murray Rawshark 38

    I beat cancer so I have a good deal of faith that Helen will. Kia kaha, wahine toa. We need you.

  39. Marksman33 39

    Our prayers are behind you Helen, all the very best, you are a great leader. First Union members Far North.

  40. miravox 40

    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).

  41. Thumbs up and fingers crossed.

  42. Jum 42

    Helen Kelly, fight for yourself as you have always fought for workers. With all of your fine being.

  43. Brian 43

    All the very best Helen.

  44. Molly 44

    Always admired your work ethic and your spirit. I’m sure those aspects put towards your recovery will triumph. All the best.

  45. Gruntie 45

    Damn damn damn – can someone at The Standard please set up a way to donate to a fighting fund for Helen

  46. Stephen Keddell. 46

    All the very best Helen and thank you.

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