gerryan, Author at St. Vincent's Healthcare Foundation

Eamonn & Mary Burke’s St. Stephen’s Day Charity Swim 26/12/2021 in aid of the Liver Unit

March 1, 2022 8:31 am Leave a Comment

On St. Stephen’s Day last, Eamonn & Mary Burke from Arklow along with family and supporters took to the sea at South Beach in Arklow for their 11^th annual Charity Day Swim in aid of the Liver Unit here in St. Vincent’s.

Because of the Covid-19 restrictions pertaining at the time, it appeared that the event would not go ahead. However, the annual event has engendered such popular support that many participants pressed for it to proceed again this year. It did, and once again, was most successful. The proceeds from all supporters, including Rabobank’s Partnership Fund amounted to €3,905.

All proceeds as normal from this event, are devoted to the Liver Unit in St. Vincent’s, where Mary and Eamonn over many years have raised approximately €63,000. We are most indebted for this wonderful generosity.

A big Thank You also to every supporter this year and over all the years, and of course a very special thanks to Eamonn Mary and their family.

See below photos from the event and the recent cheque presentation by Eamonn & Mary.

Mary Burke and Michael O’Reilly get knocked down by a wave during the St. Stephen’s day swim in Arklow, Co.Wicklow

Cillian Finn at the St. Vincent’s Foundation, St. Stephen’s day swim on the South Beach, Arklow

The Burke family at the St. Vincent’s Foundation, St. Stephen’s day swim on the South Beach, Arklow

Kyle, Halle and David Burke at the St. Vincent’s Foundation, St. Stephen’s day swim on the South Beach, Arklow

Michael O’Reilly and Mary Burke at the St. Vincent’s Foundation, St. Stephen’s day swim on the South Beach, Arklow

L.C.C. Tennis Club fundraiser for the Liver Unit

February 10, 2022 11:35 am Leave a Comment

In support of a club member, Finbarr O’Regan, the Tennis Club organised fundraising for St. Vincent’s Liver Unit. Finbarr, a liver transplant recipient and former member of staff in St. Vincent’s, was hugely supported, reflecting his popularity.

Finbarr and Gerry Collery, representing the Tennis Club presented a cheque for €1,220 to Liver Unit Consultant, Prof. Ross McNicholas recently.

We are greatly indebted to everyone who supported this successful outcome.

Annual fundraising by St. Michael’s College

9:35 am Leave a Comment

Apart from the educational and sporting achievements of St. Michael’s College, they have also placed a strong emphasis on imbuing their students with a high sense of social responsibility. This is manifested every year in a huge fundraising for a variety of charities through the sale of Christmas trees.

St. Vincent’s Foundation is fortunate to have been a beneficiary for many years now.

This year the management and students presented €2,500 to the Foundation to be directed to Pancreatic Cancer research in the hospital.

Over the years St. Michael’s College have raised €24,000 for projects in St. Vincent’s. The impact of these has been enormous for our patients and we deeply appreciate the continued support.

Pictured below are St. Michael’s students, accompanied by Aidan O’Donnell, Deputy Principal, presenting the fundraising to John Hickey, St. Vincent’s Foundation

Fundraising for Lupus Research

February 9, 2022 12:19 pm Leave a Comment

Our thanks to Jessica O’Reilly from County Cavan, whose father, Padraig Smith, undertook fundraising for Lupus Research here in St. Vincent’s, raising a most welcome €2,000 for this important medical cause.

Padraig cycled from Mizen Head to Malin Head on his own. He covered this distance of 660 km over four days, which is an enormous achievement, beyond the capacity of most.

His wife Sheila followed him in a support vehicle. As depicted in the photographs Padraig’s family were on hand to cheer his arrival into Malin Head. Well done and thanks to all.

Glasheen Christmas Lights fundraising for the Liver Unit

January 28, 2022 11:40 am Leave a Comment

In the “Christmas” period from November 19^th to January 7^th, Lisa & Murt Ryan and the Glasheen Community in Kildavin, Bunclody, County Wexford organised a spectacular seasonal lighting display. As in previous years their spectacle drew huge numbers of visitors, most of them contributing to their chosen cause, which this year was the Liver Unit in St. Vincent’s University Hospital.

As well as providing an amazing centrepiece to the Glasheen Community, the project donated almost €5,500 which is a most welcome to the capability of our Liver Unit. This is particularly pertinent as their friend Ciaran Kavanagh recently had a successful Liver Transplant in the Unit.

We are most grateful to all involved in this fantastic result.

In memory of Janis Murphy Carter:

8:29 am Leave a Comment

In an extraordinarily generous spirit, John Carter was determined to support the Cedar Ward in St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, reflecting the time that his beloved wife, Janis, spent there for the final months of her life. In the first action in this support, John, together with his colleagues in the Radio Station Training Crew raised the huge sum of €5,000. John followed this with a personal donation of an additional €5,000 meaning that the Cedar Ward capability is enhanced by a total of €10,000. On behalf of our patients we are truly grateful for this fantastic kindness.

We cannot think of a better way of expressing John’s approach than his own statement highlighting his motivation for the support:

“On behalf of myself and my Radio Station Training Crew, we wish to acknowledge Janis and our thoughts and hearts go out to all the staff in Cedar Ward, and indeed to all the staff in Vincent’s Private Hospital, along with Vincent’s Main Hospital.

The work and care is incredible by each and every one of the staff and this is just a small token from the Radio Station Training Crew. My sincere thanks to you all. John Carter”.

Lynch Girls Run for Oncology patient care:

December 20, 2021 12:05 pm Leave a Comment

Sisters Caitriona and Marie Lynch took part in the Galway Bay Run in October 2021 and ran a half and full distance marathon respectively.

In doing so, they fundraised for Oncology patient care here in St. Vincent’s in memory of a loved one. Their iDonate fundraising page raised a magnificent total of €2,428.30.

We are extremely grateful on behalf of our patients.

Paddy’s Walk – Fundraising for I.C.U. in memory of Paddy Conway

December 17, 2021 11:40 am Leave a Comment

In memory of their much loved dad, Paddy Conway, his 3 daughters Deirdre, Sinead & Ciara undertook a 5 km walk every day for 119 days (the length of time their Dad was in I.C.U.), with the proceeds going to the Intensive Care Unit here in St. Vincent’s.

Through their iDonate fundraising page and other donations, they recently presented the magnificent total of €11,000.

The funds will be used to purchase a specialist chair for the Unit and the postgraduate education of a further specialist nurse in Intensive Care medicine.

On behalf of current and future patients in I.C.U. here in St. Vincent’s, we are hugely appreciative of what the Conway family has done.

Pictured presenting their proceeds are Deirdre, Sinead & Ciara, along with I.C.U. staff members Alita, Jincy, Christina & Olive.

Collen Charity Cycle 2021 – Around the World in 8 Days for St. Anne’s/Cancer Care in St. Vincent’s

December 14, 2021 2:09 pm Leave a Comment

The staff of Collen Construction held their annual Charity Cycle, raising funds in support of chosen charities in Ireland, Germany and Sweden, where Collen operates.

The cyclists completed a distance in excess of 45,000km in approximately 21 countries and, in so doing, raised money for 17 charities in Ireland and abroad.

St. Vincent’s was delighted to be awarded €9,000, which will be dedicated to St. Anne’s Cancer patient care, in memory of a much loved colleague, the late Conor O’Carroll.

We cannot overstate our appreciation of this kind generosity.

Pictured L. to R. at the presentation of funds are Tommy Drumm, Dr. Ciara Drumm, Neil Collen, John Hickey, Susan O’Carroll, Alan Barnes & Sandra Muller