In Memory of Rosalind Brannigan

The Lung Cancer Alliance would like to pay tribute to Ros Brannigan. Ros died on August 19, 2005.  Ros was a dedicated public health worker and activist.  Even at the end of her life, Ros gave generously to others by writing an essay for this website.  Ros shared herself with the Lung Cancer Alliance and fellow lung cancer patients with her efforts to elevate public awareness, especially about women and lung cancer, strategic advice on patient support projects, and communications, as well as sharing her extensive public health network.  We are truly honored to have known Ros and grateful for her generosity with us.

Rosalind Brannigan was born on August 5, 1942, with an identical twin, Suzanne.  At a recent memorial service, Suzanne recalled Ros’s determination at an early age, when she beat older children in a long-jump competition.  Suzanne recalled thinking that Ros could do anything.  And, indeed, she could.  She raised two daughters.  She was in one of the first cohorts of Peace Corps Volunteers, in Uganda.  She hitchhiked across North Africa.  She earned her MPH at Johns Hopkins while raising two young daughters and served as mentor towards younger students.  She made major contributions in the HIV/AIDS and substance abuse arenas.  She was a world traveler and even traveled to Cuba in March of this year.  Her daughter recalled that Ros was willing to rough it to have a more authentic travel experience even though Ros was in the advanced stages of lung cancer.  Ros was married to her husband, Bill, a journalist, in 1972, here in Washington, DC, and spent much of her life and career in the Washington area.

Ros will remain an inspiration to us as we carry out our mission to eradicate lung cancer.

Washington Post Obituary