Author Archives: gerryan

  1. Movember Fundraising for Breast Cancer

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    In a super follow-on to the terrific Pink Day event in Dunnes Stores in Cornelscourt at the end of October, in support of Hazel Bracks fundraising, Hazel’s family took up the challenge of Movember.

    Her brother Jonathan and her nephew Luke grew their moustaches throughout the month of November. In the process they raised almost €1,400 for the same cause – Breast Cancer in St. Vincent’s.

    We are really grateful to Jonathan and Luke for this support and the great outcome as we, of course, are to Hazel for all she has done for St. Vincent’s.

    The photos below tell the whole story better than any words can 

  2. Dublin Marathon 2024 – fundraising by Keith McConnon

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    As a former patient of St. Vincent’s, Keith McConnon has often expressed his gratitude for the care he received and for his recovery.

    He decided to enter the Dublin Marathon for 2024. Having completed this extremely arduous undertaking, Keith raised €7,530 for St Vincent’s.

    We are so grateful to him and in awe of his commitment.

     Keith is pictured taking part in this year’s Dublin Marathon

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Keith is pictured below presenting his proceeds in the hospital:

    R. to L. are John McConnon, Jennifer Higgins, John Hickey, Keith McConnon, Mae McConnon & Caroline Marchezim. (Missing from the photo is Keith’s brother Paul)

  3. 2024 Pan Can Golf Classic for Pancreatic Cancer

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    In 2023 Liam Holland and Ray McElhinney organised a golf classic in Blainroe Golf Club to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer in St Vincent’s. The event was such a great success both financially and as an enjoyable day, that Liam and Ray repeated the fundraiser this year. Again it was a resounding achievement raising €11,500 for this most important cause. It is a great tribute to their organisational ability and to their generosity.

    Pictured at the cheque presentation are Liam Holland & Ray McElhinney with John Hickey, St. Vincent’s Foundation.

  4. Support St. Vincent’s by purchasing our Christmas Cards

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    Please support St. Vincent’s by purchasing our Christmas Cards.

    The price remains unchanged, (€5 per pack of 10 cards), but we will need to charge postage on orders. This will amount to an additional €2.00 per pack.

    St. Vincent’s is acknowledged on all cards
                                                   
    If you would like to order cards, please choose from the options below:
    1. Email us on stvincentsfoundation@svhg.ie or call us on 01-2215065.
    2. Order online through the “DONATE” button on our website, giving details of your order 
    3. Post in your payment. (Cheque/postal order payable to “St. Vincent’s Foundation”) – please add €2 per pack for postage costs

  5. Quiz Night in Memory of Emma Malone

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    Emma Malone died in May 2024. Her heartbroken family determined that they would organise a fundraising Quiz Night on September 25th to coincide with Emma’s birthday.

    Supported by her colleagues and friends the event was an amazing success raising €26,528.70 in total for St. Anne’s Cancer Care in St. Vincent’s.

    We want to particularly express our sincere thanks to Emma’s Mum Jackie for this exceptionally brave project.

    Pictured presenting the proceeds to John Hickey are Emma’s parents Alan Keane & Jackie Malone, Emma’s sister Aoife and her boyfriend Sean Callaghan.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Pictured below are photos from the Quiz Night

     

  6. Pink Day in Dunnes Stores Cornelscourt October 2024

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    We are most grateful to Dunnes Stores Cornelscourt who hosted a Pink Day weekend to raise funds for Breast Cancer Care & Research here in S.V.U.H.

    This, again, reflects a continued support through the involvement of a much-loved staff member, Hazel Brack. Hazel’s colleagues and Store management all joined enthusiastically in the event and raised over €3,450 on the day.

    We are deeply grateful to all, especially to Hazel.

    See below photos from the event.

  7. Climbs4Kevin and In Memory donations and fundraising in memory of Kevin Coleman RIP for Sarcoma Research & Awareness

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    We report now on the response of an amazing family to the tragic death of a much loved man. Sadly, in July 2022, aged 29, Kevin Coleman was diagnosed with Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer. He underwent radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy in subsequent months, in St. Vincent’s. Unfortunately, the cancer spread and Kevin passed away 12 months after his diagnosis, on 14th July 2023, just over a week after his 30th birthday and 24 hours after his wedding to Megan Conlon, his long-term partner.

    The incredible response of the family was to put their energy to making a difference to other people who encounter this terrible situation. They requested donations in lieu of flowers at Kevin’s funeral to which there was an unprecedented response. Their local GAA Club nominated the Kevin Coleman fundraising to benefit from their 2023 event of their annual “Riverstown Road to Sam”. A series of GAA competitions, table quizzes, and auctions together raised €3,350 for this great cause.

    In total these activities raised the outstanding sum of €10,269 for Sarcoma Research & Awareness but the best was yet to come!

    Hiking and climbing and other outdoor activities played an important part in Kevin’s life (see photo of Kevin). He took on one of the biggest peaks in 2011, completing Kilimanjaro for charity aged just 18. Motivated by this background Kevin’s family and supporters established the Climbs4Kevin Challenge.

    Over two days – 12th & 13th July 2024 his family members and friends climbed a peak in each of the four Irish Provinces.

    This gruelling challenge raised an unbelievable total of €72,600. This means that all these endeavours together contributed almost €83,000 to Sarcoma Research & Awareness.

    Everyone in St. Vincent’s is humbled and so grateful for this extraordinary response to a family tragedy and below we capture some of the outcome in photos.

    Photo shows the group at the top of Croagh Patrick during the Climbs4Kevin Challenge.

    David McKeown presents the funds raised by Riverstown GAA in “Riverstown Road to Sam”.

    The Coleman family presented the final outcome in Kevin’s Memory. Kevin’s wife, Megan, his parents Peter and Margaret, and his brothers, Niall and Ciaran came to Dublin for the formal conclusion of this exceptional journey.

    Pictured below are members of the Coleman family Niall, Ciaran, Peter, Margaret & Megan with John Hickey of St. Vincent’s

  8. Sale of Sunflowers for Cystic Fibrosis Unit

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    After the enormous success of the inaugural event in 2023, we honestly did not think it was possible that it would be surpassed.  It was. Philip Dunne in partnership with Elaine Timmins, along with support from their families, friends and community, created an acre of sunflowers. Building on the success of the first event, they enhanced it to be effectively a Festival of Sunflowers.

    As well as the sunflowers, they had photo opportunities, ice cream and coffee stands, over two weekends and an additional Sunday. With this magnificent creativity and phenomenal hard work the brilliant sum of €9,635.52 was raised and contributed to the C.F. Unit in St. Vincent’s Hospital.

    This now brings to almost €19,000 the contribution from Philip and Elaine’s efforts.

    On behalf of our patients, we cannot overstate our appreciation.

    Pictured are Philip & Elaine with Prof. Charles Gallagher and members of the C.F. team which includes Jo Doyle, Paula Farrell, Mel Shanley, Daniel Goldstone, Margeurite Murphy, Chloe Farrell, Brenda Grogan, Catherine McKeown, Michelle Callaghan & Clare Reilly

     

     

     

  9. Olivia O’Keeffe Trust Fund donation to the Intensive Care Unit

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    Olivia O’Keeffe passed away, aged 33, in December 2021 in the Intensive Care Unit in St. Vincent’s University Hospital.

    Olivia had been a recipient of two liver transplants; the first of which was when she was aged just two years old.

    In an extraordinary act of generosity, Olivia’s family donated €18,000 to support the I.C.U. from the Trust Fund in her name.

    On behalf of our patients, we are humbled and most appreciative of this kindness

    We feel it is appropriate to include here a quote from Olivia’s Mum, Katie, “Organ Transplants would not be possible without  the generosity of the donors & their families, and to them, we are eternally grateful”.

     

  10. 2024 Sligo Warriors Run

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    The 2024 Warriors Run (first held in 1985) was held again in August 2024. Runners from all over Ireland and wider afield, came to Strandhill to follow in the footsteps of the ancient warriors of Queen Maeve, historical Queen of Connaught.

    Since 2013, the Sligo Warriors Run Committee has donated to St. Vincent’s at the request of Denis Foley, whose land is part of the course. This year, Denis again nominated St. Vincent’s Hospital and a most generous donation of €4,000 was received from them, to be used for the Liver Unit here in St. Vincent’s.

    We are most grateful to Denis Foley, the Warriors Run Committee and all involved for their generosity over the years and for again thinking of our patients.