Author Archives: gerryan

  1. 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.

  2. 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

     

  3. 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.

     

  4. 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.

     

  5. 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.

     

     

  6. 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.

     

  7. 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.

  8. St. Michael’s College Support for St. Vincent’s

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    For many years the students of St. Michael’s College have been selling Christmas trees to raise money for charities including St. Vincent’s Foundation. Through their efforts they have financed important investments in the hospital for which we are most grateful.

     This year they have again been most supportive donating €2,500 to St. Vincent’s. This money will be deployed towards a current project to purchase Cold Caps for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

     As he accepted the cheque from School Management and a large group of students John Hickey spoke to them about the work of the Foundation and the many projects that have been enabled by kindness such as they have displayed. This included the use of Cold Caps.  There followed a question and answer session where the boys showed enormous interest and empathy with the work for patients in the hospital and some of the recent initiatives.

     On behalf of our patients now and in the future we give them a great big thank you.

    Pictured below are some of the First Year Students and Vice Principal Aidan O’Donnell presenting the fundraising proceeds to John Hickey, St. Vincent’s Foundation

     

  9. Christine Kearney’s Easter Raffle 2018 for Breast Cancer care

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    We are now at the 9th anniversary of Christine Kearney’s fundraising raffle. The final result from this year’s event was a new record of €3,080 for an Easter Raffle.

    Over the years, Christine and her friends Catherine & Katie have raised in excess of €37,000 for Breast Cancer care and research in St. Vincent’s.  This outstanding financial contribution is mirrored by the spectacle that they always create at these events (see photos below). It is most motivating for patients, families and staff.

    In this year’s result Christine asked us to acknowledge the specific contribution of Stephanie O’Neill. We are delighted to do so.

    Our sincere thanks again for this superb support for our patients.

     

  10. Eamonn & Mary Burke’s St. Stephen’s Day Charity Swim 26/12/2017 in aid of the Liver Unit, St. Vincent’s University Hospital

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    When the rest of us are enjoying the relaxation of the Christmas and New Year periods, Eamonn & Mary Burke from Arklow have been busy organising a sponsored Swim to raise funds for the Liver Unit here in St. Vincent’s.

    The 2017 event raised the massive total of €4,200. This means that, over the 8 years or so, this event has raised in excess of €43,000 for this vital medical area and has contributed enormously to our capacity to serve patients. It has also grown year on year in terms of the number of participants.

    Mary & Eanonn always emphasise that this is a community effort which would not be possible without the contribution of sponsors and participants each year. We are really thankful to all concerned.

    Thank you Eamonn & Mary for this wonderful support.

    See below photos of Eamonn & Mary Burke presenting their fundraising proceeds and also a selection of photos taken on the day of the Swim.