Dr Sarah Fitzgibbon brought medical expertise, candour and warmth to her work raising awareness of bowel cancer. Irish Examiner Feelgood Editor Irene Feighan remembers their collaboration on a special edition, a December 2024 meeting in Douglas, and the memorial request Fitzgibbon left behind: “Plant a tree for me. An oak.”
A meeting in Douglas, and a special edition built on trust
In December 2024, Irene Feighan met Dr Sarah Fitzgibbon in Douglas, Cork, to discuss a bowel cancer awareness edition of Irish Examiner’s Feelgood. Feighan recalls Fitzgibbon as calm and witty, even while going through an exhausting period of treatment. She also remembers her taking care to review the copy before it was published.
The special edition appeared in March 2025. Its purpose was personal as well as practical: Fitzgibbon could speak both as a doctor and as someone who had lived with colorectal cancer. In her own article, she wrote: “The care and compassion of the healthcare staff we encounter are also hugely important and can be life-changing, particularly on a bad day.”
Her diagnosis and return to a busy life
Fitzgibbon was diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer in November 2014, aged 37. Her youngest child was eight months old. She described it as stage four cancer in her first-person account.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
She responded well to targeted therapies and returned to a busy life. A routine scan in May 2024 later found that the cancer was active again. Feighan’s remembrance does not detail the treatments that followed or offer a prognosis; it remembers the person Fitzgibbon remained through a demanding period.
A doctor who made awareness personal
Fitzgibbon used her professional knowledge and lived experience to encourage people to take bowel cancer seriously. In her 2025 article, she wrote, “I’m one of a growing number of young people with bowel cancer,” and urged readers to “Spot the symptoms.” She described changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, abdominal pain or persistent bloating, unexplained weight loss, tiredness despite rest and other unusual changes. Her advice was to make an appointment with a GP if one or more symptoms occurred.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Her words were advocacy grounded in her own experience, not a substitute for current clinical guidance. In Ireland, the HSE says people with symptoms should contact their GP rather than wait for a screening test. Screening is intended for eligible people without symptoms; it is not the route for investigating symptoms.
Her work beyond the awareness campaign
Fitzgibbon’s commitment to other people extended into her medical work and professional community. She founded the Women in Medicine in Ireland Network in 2017 and worked as a primary care clinical advisor with Ireland’s National Screening Service. Of the network, she said in a 2023 Irish Examiner interview: “We lift each other up and reach out to each other.”
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
That line also captures the spirit of her public advocacy: sharing knowledge, making room for difficult conversations and helping people feel less alone.
What BowelScreen guidance says now
For current screening information in Ireland, the HSE’s BowelScreen programme is the source to consult. Its guidance, last reviewed on 1 June 2026, says free screening is for people aged 57 to 71. Participants take a stool sample at home and return it for a laboratory test for tiny traces of blood, which can be associated with polyps or early-stage cancer.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
- If you are eligible and have no symptoms: BowelScreen provides a routine screening pathway.
- If you have symptoms: contact your GP; do not wait for your next screening test.
- If a screening result is normal: continue to pay attention to symptoms and seek medical advice if they develop. A normal result does not remove future risk.
Screening eligibility has changed over time, so Fitzgibbon’s description of the programme in her 2025 article should be read as historical. The HSE’s current guidance gives the present age range and next steps.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The words she wanted people to remember
Feighan recalls Fitzgibbon’s humour as well as her compassion. In a final blog post dated 20 September 2026, Fitzgibbon wrote: “I have minimal faith or spirituality, but I do know that if anyone uses the words "brave battle" in relation to me, I WILL haunt them.” The line is funny, direct and unmistakably her own. It is also a request to describe her on her terms, rather than reach for a phrase she explicitly rejected.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsBest Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Feighan’s remembrance, published on 1 October 2026, reports that Fitzgibbon had died on the Wednesday. The memorial instruction she left was simple: “Plant a tree for me. An oak.”
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
