Author Archives: gerryan

  1. Des Furlong Memorial Tournament

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    A summer bank holiday Monday might be a day for resting and recharging for many – not the Furlong family. They chose the day to stage a special 7-a-side Ladies Gaelic Football tournament at their GAA club, CLG Naomh Pádraig. Organisers Teghan and Abbie put the event together in memory of their late dad, Des Furlong, and were joined by family and friends from across the club and wider Camolin community.

    Des was known as being a true gentleman who dedicated much of his life to his daughters and to coaching and supporting his GAA club. It is really fitting, then, that the day in his honour proved such a success. Not did the large crowd have a good time, but €9,202 was raised for our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) team at St. Vincent’s University Hospital.

    We send our thanks to everyone that helped organise the match, raffle and refreshments and to all that took part and supported. Your efforts are hugely appreciated, by us and those working in the ICU.

    Our pictures show the Furlong family and the teams from the day:

  2. Taking Steps in Support of Breast Cancer Care

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    Members of the Women’s Squad of the Railway Union Rugby Club took great steps to raise funds for our breast cancer care services.   The team undertook a 24-hour walk in June and raised a fantastic €7,764.00 for us.   The event was organised across the day and night through a relay, in recognition of a team-mate undergoing treatment.  

    The walk took the team near our hospitals in Elm Park, as it wound its way from Sandy Park to Sandymount.   Simultaneously, the Exeter Chiefs, in their support of their former player, undertook a 24 Hour Walk in East Devon, including their beach at Exmouth.       

    We are so grateful for this very kind support that is a true demonstration of teamwork and friendship.   

    Our pictures show Aoife McDermott and members of the squad.  

  3. New Overnight Sleeper Chairs for C.F. Unit

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    We have funded the purchase of two new overnight sleeper chairs for use on St. Christopher’s Ward, where care is provided for Cystic Fibrosis and Respiratory patients.

    The chairs are specially designed for comfort, whilst conforming to infection control measures, and are used by patient relatives and friends. They cleverly convert to beds for those wishing to stay with their loved one overnight or for long periods of time.

    We know patients are pleased to have this support from their family and friends, especially at a time of great need.

    Our picture shows some of the ward team proudly unwrapping one of the new chairs.

    Pictured Left to right – Etain Tighe, Deepa Andrews, Xin Li Cai & Nicoleo Ardiente

  4. In it for the Long Run – Our Spotlight on Dublin Women’s Mini Marathon Participants

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    Dublin’s Women’s Mini Marathon, held over the June bank holiday, is the world’s largest event of its kind. It has become a celebration of determination, generosity and community spirit and the 10k course takes participants right past St. Vincent’s University Hospital.

    We are placing a special spotlight on three women who took part to raise funds for us this year:

    Emma Stevenson who ran in memory of her late father, Emma Lenihan who took part in recognition of the great care her husband received whilst in hospital and Cathie Sweetman Healy who took part in honour of her daughter’s treatment and ongoing rehabilitation. Between them, these women have raised thousands of Euro to help other patients and their families, in the name of their own loved ones. This really embodies the true spirit of the day and we are very grateful to them.

    We would like to thank everyone that gave their support through this wonderful event. Your fundraising is important to us. If you would like details of how to get involved with mini, half or full marathons please get in touch with us. We would be happy to help and to send you our supporter pack. Call 01 221 506 or email stvincentsfoundation@svhg.ie 

    Pictures show Emma Stevenson at Dublin Women’s Mini Marathon 2026

     

     

  5. Expert Training for the Liver Transplant Team

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    St. Vincent’s University Hospital hosts Ireland’s National Liver Transplant Programme, and has done since 1993. Over the years more than 1,000 transplants have been performed for patients from all over the country.

    New advances in transplant technology and equipment include “Perfusion Devices”, which help to preserve and repair organs donated for transplant. Our highly professional staff recently attended specialist training in liver perfusion, in the Netherlands which was funded by St. Vincent’s Healthcare Foundation. This ground-breaking technology has the potential to increase the number of transplants, reduce complications for patients and help develop more personalised treatments. We are happy to support the team in their valuable and life-saving work.

    Pictures show some of the team undertaking training in Groningen, Netherlands.

  6. 150 Years Of Caring

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    How do you celebrate a Sesquicentennial (that’s a 150th Anniversary, in simpler terms!)? With a present, of course – and we are proud to say that St. Vincent’s Healthcare Foundation presented St. Michael’s Hospital with a brand-new patient transport vehicle on the day they celebrated this enormous milestone. Funded entirely by donations, we handed the keys to the vehicle to Interim CEO, Siobhan McCaffrey and Facilities Controller, Keith Neville and were joined by Minister of Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeil to do so.

    The vehicle can accommodate up to 9 passengers, is adapted for wheelchairs and is used to transfer patients to and from the hospital, as needed. In high demand, it’s already out and about on the roads, so do look out for it. Every trip saves a transfer by ambulance or taxi, so is an economical saving for the busy hospital teams, that also provides an efficient, friendly service for patients. The vehicle is also used to transport bloods and other products between our hospitals.

    On the big day itself, Siobhan remarked, “For 150 years, St. Michael’s Hospital has cared for the people of Dún Laoghaire and the wider South Dublin East community. This anniversary is an opportunity to recognise the extraordinary people who continue that tradition of care every day. Founded on the belief that everyone should have access to care, dignity and compassion, that purpose still guides our work. As demand for our services continues to grow, our future plans will help ensure we can continue to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care for generations to come”.

    Back in 1876, St. Michael’s Hospital was established thanks to local fundraising, donations and philanthropy. The legacy of those first supporters was to establish a local hospital, which today is a much loved and trusted one, providing excellent medical care to its patients. In giving a vehicle from today’s donors, we keep that spirit of community support alive – and we are grateful for the generosity that made it possible.

    We wish the hard-working team at St. Michael’s Hospital all the very best for their next century and beyond!

    Picture shows Imelda Reynolds, Siobhan McCaffrey, Keith Neville, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeil, Helen McVeigh and Gerry O’Brien.

  7. Our Class Act – Thanks to Your Support

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    We, at St. Vincent’s Healthcare Foundation, are proud to support professional training and education of the dedicated nursing staff within our hospitals. Across the academic year of 2025/6 we granted a wonderful €75,000 so that nurses could study towards Advanced Nursing Practice qualifications and continuous professional development. This helps hospital staff retention and gives nurses the opportunities to move into leadership, research and management roles – and more. On top of that, we know that more qualified, experienced staff continue to benefit the patients in their care.

    Our pictures show Ann Flynn, Director of Nursing with some of the staff at St. Vincent’s University Hospital who successfully juggled work and study to pass their courses with flying colours. Well done all and thanks to you, our donors, who make this possible.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Our pictures include: Patricia Dato, Jincy Joseph, Dennis Wedgeworth, Femy Paul, Jheddah Rondilla, Mandeep Kaur Bhamba, Samu Veighes, Mini Moby and Ann Flynn.

  8. Dab-ulous Fundraising Success 

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    Liz Brack recently organised a “Blue Rinse Bingo” night to raise funds for us in memory of her sister, the late Hazel Brack.   Setting herself a target to raise €500 she smashed that with a total topping €9,100.   Liz was supported by many friends and family for a fantastic night at The Noggin Inn which included over 70 individual prizes, all of which were generously donated.       

    Liz’s late sister, Hazel was a super supporter of ours, raising tens of thousands of Euro for our work for Breast Cancer with her colleagues, friends and family members.  The drive to raise these important funds continues today in her name, and to date a staggering €54,100 has been raised. 

    Our picture shows Liz (centre)  with her family presenting us with the bingo-raised funds.   Our thanks go to all and to everyone that made the event such as great success. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Front row l-r Aílbhe , Ciara, John, Lee, Liz, Jessica, Amanda, Ursula & Ellie
    Back row l-r Wendy, Seán , Jonathan, Chloe, Abbie & Hannah

  9. Eamon Burke Memorial Fundraising

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    Mary Burke and Dean Dickenson joined us again at St. Vincent’s University Hospital, to present funds raised from events held in memory of Mary’s husband, the late Eamon Burke. Mary and dedicated family and friends have become long-time friends of ours, having raised over €90,000 for the Liver Unit. Back in November the annual “Bingo Night” was held and then in December, the hugely popular “St. Stephen’s Day Swim” took place in Cove Bay, Arklow. Over 60 festive swimmers braved the icy waters on a very blustery, but bright, day, kindly overseen by the local RNLI. This was the 15th annual swim and was again generously supported by the Hoey family at The Bridge Hotel who hosted chilly swimmers for hot drinks and a well-earned bite to eat afterwards.

    Our huge thanks go to Mary and everyone that supports her and her fundraising drive. We know she has many relatives and friends who stand alongside her and who have fond memories of Eamon. We would also like to thank all at The Bridge Hotel, Arklow and Arklow RNLI, without whom the event would not be possible. Special thanks also to Rabobank Partnership Fund for their continued support for this event.

    Funds used by the Liver Unit will help patients undergoing treatment and their families and plans are already afoot for more bingo and swims in 2026. Feel free to contact us for details.

     

    Pictured are Mary Burke & Dean Dickenson presenting the fundraising proceeds to Helen McVeigh, St. Vincent’s Healthcare Foundation and pictures from the Swim.

     

     

  10. A Big Thank You to “The Big C Choir”  

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    We were delighted to receive a telephone call letting us know that “The Big C Choir” from County Kildare had chosen to organise a concert for us.   The choir, made up of cancer survivors and friends have performed many, many times to raise significant funds for local and national charities and came into St. Vincent’s Private Hospital recently to present us with €6,432.04 in support of our work.    Pauline Byrne and daughter Sinead were reunited with Consultant Mr James Geraghty,  who kindly took time to join the official cheque presentation.    

    Our sincere thanks go to the choir for so kindly thinking of us and to all who supported them in their concert.   We are delighted with the kindness shown and the opportunity to meet choristers Pauline, Carmel and Deirdre.   We are definitely singing your praises and will use the funds you have raised for other patients and their families.   

    Pictured are L. to R. Helen McVeigh, St. Vincent’s Foundation; Carmel Sharpe; Mr. James Geraghty, Consultant Surgeon; Pauline Byrne & Deirdre Francis