Author Archives: gerryan

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. Coffee (and Tee) Morning at Thurles Golf Club for the Liver Unit

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    Liver transplant patient, Willie O’Gorman was supported by many friends, family and fellow golf club members for his “Coffee Morning Fundraiser” on a beautiful spring day in March. His local club, Thurles Golf Club, hosted the morning with tea and coffee served on fabulous china crockery brought in especially for the occasion.

    A wonderful €12,870.00 was raised on the day, which was presented to Helen McVeigh at the golf club a few weeks afterwards. Further funds have come in since and the final total now stands at €14,130!

    Our thanks go to everyone that made the day possible, to the many people that took time to join the event and those that supported by making a donation.

    Willie was interviewed on Tipp FM before the event and this definitely helped promote it and swell the numbers. We are so grateful to him for all his support and for sharing his incredible journey through his liver condition, transplant and new-found zest for life. He has used his experiences to raise these important funds that will support our liver unit and transplant teams.

    Pictured below: Back Row (Left to Right): Catherine Mulcahy, Peggy Kirby, Maria Dempsey, Mary Coman, Breda Stakelum, Sadie Dwyer, Anna Stakelum, Ann Slattery. Front Row (Left to Right): Maria O’Gorman, William O’Gorman, Helen McVeigh, Patrick O’Gorman

  4. Take part in the 2026 VHI Women’s Mini Marathon for St. Vincent’s

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    Thank You to all our previous Women’s Mini Marathon runners, joggers and walkers. You have raised vital funds for St. Vincent’s Foundation and helped raise awareness of our work.

    We need more participants this year – so, if you are taking part, please fundraise for St. Vincent’s Foundation to help patients and their families in our three busy hospitals.

    You can select the medical cause/area within the hospitals that you want to support. We are very happy to honour your wishes, especially if taking part in memory of a loved one.

    To register and for further details log onto https://www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie/

    You can set up a fundraising page on iDonate here  St. Vincent’s Foundation | Online Fundraising

    After you have registered, please phone us on 01-2215065 or email stvincentsfoundation@svhg.ie

  5. Dublin Motorcycle Touring Club Gear Up for St. Vincent’s Foundation 

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    The Dublin Motorcycle Touring Club presented us with a wonderful €10,000 at their January meeting, in support of our Haematology work.

    These funds were raised by club members after they nominated St. Vincent’s Foundation as their charity of the year,  to give support in memory of longstanding club member and friend, the late Larnie Boland, who passed away in June 2024.

    Many club members braved the inclement weather to attend the evening presentation in Shankill  where member Chris Hill spoke of Larnie and his great friendships across the club.    Some of Larnie’s family also joined the meeting and were on hand to make the official presentation to Helen McVeigh, St. Vincent’s Foundation, who was welcomed by committee and club members.

    Our sincere thanks go to them and the Dublin Motorcycle Touring Club for their kind support.   We wish them continued success with their trips and fundraising for good causes.

    Picture shows Jackie and Emilie Boland and Chris Hill.

  6. Bingo Fun-raising for St. Vincent’s Foundation

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    A great night is being planned at The Noggin Inn, Sallynoggin, Dublin  where our supporter, Liz Brack, is holding a Blue Rinse and Pink Bingo Night.   She is encouraging everyone to come along with either a blue wig or dressed in something pink – or both!   

    The fun is all in memory of Liz’s sister, Hazel Brack, who died of breast cancer.  Hazel was a loyal supporter of ours, raising tens of thousands of Euro for our breast cancer work with her colleagues, friends and family.   Now that legacy continues through Liz with the evening event planned for Friday 20th March at 8.30pm.   

    Entry is €15.00, which includes Bingo card.   Please see Liz’s idonate page here  Support Elizabeth Brack’s Page on iDonate.ie or call us on 01 221 5065 for details of how to purchase an entry ticket.      

  7. Breast Cancer Specialist Microscope Purchase

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    St. Vincent’s Foundation fundraisers and donors have made it possible for us to provide funding for a new Leica Providio Microscope, essential for performing DIEP Flap breast reconstruction surgeries. This vital equipment has allowed St. Vincent’s Private Hospital to introduce and deliver this highly specialised service within the hospital. It is considered the gold standard in breast reconstructive surgeries for breast cancer patients. Within a month of installation, eleven women have been able to access DIEP flap surgery locally—an outcome that has been truly life-altering for these women and their families at a particularly challenging and emotional time in their lives.

    The availability of this procedure has provided patients with advanced reconstructive options following breast cancer treatment, supporting both physical recovery and emotional wellbeing. As living with cancer becomes ever-more possible, a focus on quality of life and holistic wellbeing is all the more vital.

    The impact of the Foundation’s generosity extends far beyond the operating theatre, offering hope, dignity, and improved quality of life for those in our care.

  8. 2025 Newsletter – Out Now

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    We are delighted to share our annual newsletter which highlights some of our amazing fundraisers and supporters and shows what our donors make possible across our three hospitals.

    We are entirely reliant upon voluntary support and so are especially grateful to everyone that chooses to support us. The newsletter is available to read here https://www.stvincentsfoundation.ie/events-and-news/donors-newsletter/and free copies are available in our hospitals (St. Vincent’s University Hospital, St. Vincent’s Private Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital).

    If you would like us to post you a copy please contact us (Email: stvincentsfoundation@svhg.ie or Tel: 01 221 5065) as we would be happy to send you one.

  9. Pan Can Golf Classic Cheque Presentation

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    Our great friends Liam Holland and Ray McElhinney presented us with a wonderful €15,500 at Blainroe Golf Club, County Wicklow. The duo have organised an annual “Pan Can Golf Classic” at the club since 2023 and this year’s event has been their most successful yet. We are so grateful to them and all that gave their support, including the Captain and friends at Druid’s Glen Golf. These important funds will support our work for Pancreatic Cancer care and research, as chosen by Liam and Ray as their families have both been directly touched by the disease.

    The pair have already set the date for Pan Can 2026 – Friday 4th September – and thanks for this continuous support go to them. We know the hard work put into such a professionally run day, both before and after it. Enjoy the break lads and we’ll see you again next year!

    Pictured presenting funds are Liam and Ray, with Helen McVeigh from St. Vincent’s Foundation.

  10. Team Louis & Caroline Shave or Dye and Winter Warmer Raffle fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer

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    Our great friends, Louis Corrigan and Caroline Greville presented St. Vincent’s Foundation with a wonderful €22,375.00 at the recent NET Patient Day, held in Dublin. “Team Louis and Caroline” from County Meath have joined forces having both been diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Tumours and receiving treatment at St. Vincent’s University Hospital.

    They have raised funds through an annual “Shave or Dye” evening held in the spring and a “winter warmer” raffle in autumn. We are so grateful to them for all the work they put into their fundraising and whether folks are shaving their hair, dying it or purchasing raffle tickets, they are continually boosting the amounts raised. Thank you to everyone involved.

     

     

    Pictured are Jack and Caroline, Prof. Mark Doherty, Prof. Donal O’Shea, Ger & Louis

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Pictured are Caroline Greville, Prof Mark Doherty, Prof Donal O’Shea and Louis Corrigan.