Author Archives: gerryan

  1. Funding for Pancreatic Cancer Research Project

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    Enabled by kind donations and fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer, SVF were delighted to fund the completion of a pancreatic research project at St. Vincent’s, co-ordinated by Ms. Oonagh Griffin, Pancreatic Dietician, who is currently on secondment from the clinical service, running a HRB sponsored study involving the care of patient’s undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for pancreatic cancer. 

    The study is an important component of the clinical research programme at St. Vincent’s and is being run through the Department of Surgery at TCD under the supervision of Prof. Kevin Conlon & Mr. Justin Geoghegan. The funding will allow completion of recruitment of patients for this study.  Oonagh gives an outline of the study as follows:

    “Pancreatic cancer is the 11th most common cancer in Ireland, but the 5th most common cause of cancer related death. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat – diagnosis is often difficult, surgical treatment is often followed by disease relapse and these cancers are resistant to chemotherapy compared to other tumours. However, there have been important recent developments in surgical and medical treatments that, coupled with major advances in the understanding of the basic tumour biology of the disease, are beginning to offer real hope of improvements in the outcome of this difficult disease.

    From our previous research, we know that patients with pancreatic cancer often lose weight and strength during their chemotherapy.  This can make it more difficult for patients to tolerate and complete their treatment, meaning some patients need to delay treatment or receive less than their planned dose. Recovery after surgery is also prolonged.

    We are carrying out a study to see if an active intervention delivered over 12 weeks, which includes regular assessment and support by a dietitian, taking enzyme tablets with meals, drinking a specialized nutritional supplement drink, and having a daily walking or step target will enable the patient better withstand their treatment. As part of the study we are also carrying out a detailed nutritional assessment before the start of chemotherapy to try and gain a better understanding of how and why patients lose weight. This information will give us a better understanding of the nutritional problems people with pancreatic cancer experience, and how best to address them. It is hoped that this work will help people with pancreatic cancer tolerate their treatment better, and reduce un-necessary suffering by recognising and treating common symptoms.”

    Oonagh Griffin won Best Oral Presentation for her work, at the UCD SVHG Translational Medicine Symposium. This Symposium, which took place in June 2018, celebrates research achievements of hospital staff.

    The symposium provided an opportunity for established and emerging investigators to present their work to colleagues from across the hospital community.

    Projects such as this can be enhanced by additional funding.  Patient and family financial support is always welcome.

    Oonagh Griffin pictured below on the right, receiving her Best Oral prize from Ms. Kay Connolly, C.E.O. St. Vincent’s University Hospital

     

     

     

  2. Dublin City Marathon Sun 28th October 2018

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    Over the years, we have seen an increasing number of people using this event, to fundraise for different causes in St. Vincent’s.

     We would like to thank all those people who have supported St. Vincent’s in this event over many years.

     If you are taking part this year, why not fundraise for St. Vincent’s Hospital to assist patient care.

    You can select the medical cause within the hospital that you want to support. 

    Contact us for a sponsorship pack.

  3. Lorraine’s Great North Run

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    In memory of her beloved grandmother, Lorraine Jensen from County Louth (pictured below) took part in the Great North Run in Newcastle on the 9th September last.

    She successfully completed the Great North Run – the world’s largest half marathon – in 2 hours 36 minutes. Congratulations to Lorraine on this great achievement and with the wonderful support of family and friends, she raised €739.36 for patient care here in St. Vincent’s. 

  4. Mark O’Brien’s Tough Mudder Obstacle Course July 2018 for patient care

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    In memory of his dear mother, Mark O’Brien from Blackrock, Co. Dublin along with his friends Daniel, Gary, Ian, Sam, Ross & Anne Marie took part in the Tough Mudder Obstacle Course in Loughcrew, County Meath on 21st July last (see before and after photos).

    We are really grateful to Mark and his friends for taking part in this gruelling event and for raising €2,263.35 for patient care in St. Vincent’s. We should add that just weeks before the event Mark had surgery on an injured shoulder, but undaunted, he still took part.

    Sincere thanks to all.

  5. Hospital Saturday Fund (HSF) grant allocation for Palliative Care project

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    Hospital Saturday Fund (HSF), one of the outstanding providers of medical and related insurance, is a not for profit company, distributing its’ surplus to charitable causes.

     For the second year running, HSF has kindly given a grant of €2,700 for the support of Palliative Care research in St. Vincent’s. We are really grateful for this generosity.

     Mia Shepherd from HSF recently called in to present the funds and is pictured below with Karen Dennehy, Brendan Corkery & Angela Moffett from the Palliative Care Team along with John Hickey, St. Vincent’s Foundation

     

  6. Fundraising event in Shankill for Liver Unit

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    Thank you to liver transplant recipient Andy O’Shaughnessy, his wife Erica and friends Seamus & Noreen Lynam, who recently presented €3,120 to the Liver Unit here in St. Vincent’s.

    The donation resulted from a fundraising event held in Shankill on 23rd June 2018. As well as a fundraiser, the event was organised to promote the value of organ donation and carrying of an organ donor card; and most importantly the need for people to discuss and express their donation wishes to next of kin and family members.

    We are really grateful for the wonderful contribution to our patient care.

    Pictured presenting their proceeds to Mr. Diarmaid Houlihan & Alan O’Rourke, Liver Unit are Seamus & Noreen Lynam and Andy & Erica O’Shaughnessy.

     

  7. Patient Communication System I.C.U.

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    As the result of a patient donation for the Intensive Care Unit (I.C.U.) we were able to develop a unique solution for patients with loss of / or impaired speech.

    The original objective was to provide a means of communication for seriously ill patients. The solution was a custom programmed ipad. The additional challenge was to have the functioning of the unit suitable for patients. This has now been achieved, as captured by the photo below.

    An additional benefit for patients, comes from the availability of internet including Netflix, which means that patients have a means of entertaining themselves, while being confined to bed.

    On behalf of our patients, we express our sincere gratitude to the donors.

     

  8. 2018 VHI Women’s Mini Marathon fundraisers for St. Vincent’s

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    One of the most important fundraising events in Ireland each year is the Women’s Mini Marathon. This is equally so for the causes supported by St. Vincent’s Foundation.

    We are delighted and grateful each year to have so many ladies taking part in this event, to fundraise for a particular cause within St. Vincent’s.

    Below are a selection of photos of our participants this year.

    On behalf of our patients, we express our sincere gratitude for this terrific contribution.

     

     

  9. Louise Duggan & Friends fundraise for Breast Pumps

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    Louise Duggan, a long-term supporter of St. Vincent’s spotted an opportunity to make life better for new mothers who had to be in-patients in the hospital.  She identified the need for breast pumps for new mums and, with the help of family and friends, raised the fabulous sum of €1,240 towards the project.  Louse sets out the journey below.

    “In early 2018, I found out that a fellow breastfeeding mother attended St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin for medical treatment. As this hospital is not a maternity/paediatric hospital, it did not have a breast pump on the premises.

    I fortunately was not in this mothers position, who may have been worrying about her own medical issues and also be concerned about locating a breast pump to ensure her baby got fed and that she did not get mastitis.  Therefore, I set about fundraising for two hospital-grade breast pumps to be available to mums in St. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin. 

    I am delighted to say with the help and generosity of family, friends and fellow breast feeding mums as well as St. Vincent’s Foundation, we have successfully achieved our target and that two hospital-grade Medela Symphony Breast Pumps and stands have been acquired and are in use in the hospital. They are stored in St. Helen’s ward which is the Gynae ward in St. Vincent’s for post-partum patients.  Well done and thank you to all for your contributions and support for breast feeding mums in St. Vincent’s University Hospital.”

    A big thank you to all concerned for this great success.

     

  10. Valerie Gorman’s Great Limerick Run fundraising for St. Anne’s Oncology

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    In memory of her beloved boyfriend Gerard Casey, Valerie Gorman took part in the Great Limerick Run on the May Bank Holiday weekend, fundraising for St. Anne’s Oncology Unit here in St. Vincent’s. 

    This is an extremely taxing athletic undertaking and we are truly indebted to Valerie for having the courage to do it.

    With the support of family and friends, Valerie raised a magnificent total of €6,606.50, which will make a huge difference to patients of St. Anne’s/Oncology and their families.

    Our sincere thanks to Valerie.