Orla Tinsley

Orla Tinsley is an Irish campaigner, author and journalist. In 2005 at the age of 18 she began writing for The Irish Times on the state of Cystic Fibrosis care in Ireland. Her work launched a lengthy nation-wide campaign to improve healthcare services and awareness of cystic fibrosis. In 2008 she was named Rehab Young Person of the Year for her work. In 2009 she received the Irish Tatler Woman of the Year award and in 2010 Irish Medical Journalist of the Year. In 2011 Ms Tinsley reported on a special documentary for RTE's flagship current affairs programme Prime Time on the journey, triumph's and failures of the eight year campaign. That same year her bestselling memoir 'Salty Baby' was published. It was shortlisted for Best Newcomer at the Irish Book Awards and Tinsley was also shortlisted as Young Journalist of the Year. The Adult Cystic Fibrosis unit that Ms. Tinsley campaigned for along with many of her friends opened. Since 2012 she has focused on transgender rights and in 2013 was named Journalist of the Year by the Irish Gay and Lesbian Association.

In 2013 Ms Tinsley was one of the first people in the world to be treated with a new Cystic Fibrosis drug by Vertex which changed her prognosis. The drug improves lung function and health for people with CF. She now lives in New York City and is a student at Columbia University.