Author Archives: gerryan

  1. SVF grant for Medical English classes for Ukrainian doctors in Ireland:

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    St. Vincent’s University Hospital was pleased to recently announce the successful graduation of 25 Ukrainian doctors from a comprehensive English language course. The course was initiated and developed by SVUH consultants Dr. John Holian and Prof Hugh Mulcahy and supported by the hospital management.

    The course was delivered by Ukrainian lecturer Prof Oksana Kachurets in response to the significant language barrier faced by Ukrainian doctors arriving in Ireland .

    St. Vincent’s Foundation was delighted to support this great initiative with a grant of €2,280.

  2. Fundraiser in memory of John Grant (Sconny) R.I.P.

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    This fundraising sprung from the tragic circumstances where a beloved husband, father, brother and extended family member died from pancreatic cancer, just over a week from diagnosis.

    Despite their grief, John’s family organised a series of events within their community in north County Donegal and raised an extraordinary total of €41,500. Donations of €2,000 each were made to two local palliative and bereavement charities and a massive total of €37,500 was contributed to a specific project in St. Vincent’s, focussing on the early detection of pancreatic cancer within families, with a recognised propensity to encounter the disease. This project will have profound positive effects for the outcomes for future patients.

    We feel it is very appropriate to reproduce the message of the family as they sought donations to the fund:

    “John Grant was a great family man, who passed away at only 50 years old from Pancreatic Cancer, after only being diagnosed 8 days prior.

     He is painfully missed by his wife Katherine, his young children – Dean, Valerie, Callum & Kaylah, his siblings Caroline, Micky & Paul and all his extended family.

     John was one of life’s good guys – he was kind, considerate, respectful, selfless, loving to Katherine and his kids, hardworking and great craic.

     Pancreatic Cancer is often called the silent killer, and with good reason, most people don’t experience symptoms until the cancer is big enough to impact the surrounding organs, and the symptoms are often vague.

     Every cent raised is going to St. Vincent’s Foundation for Research into the Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer.”

    This terrific outcome spells a wonderful response for which we are deeply grateful.

     Pictured below are photos of John’s close and extended family presenting the proceeds to St. Vincent’s

     

  3. Jillian McNulty’s Valentines Ball 2023

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    Over the years we have featured the fundraising activities of Jillian McNulty on this website and in our magazine. This year, in a hugely successful Valentines Day Ball Jillian raised a total of €9,000. €5,000 was contributed to St. Vincent’s being shared between Cystic Fibrosis and Renal care. In addition €4,000 was donated to C.F. Ireland.

    We were delighted that Jillian and her mother visited the hospital to make the cheque presentations which are pictured below.

    Pictured below is Jillian presenting cheques to St. Vincent’s C.F. Unit (Dr. Trevor Nicholson & Prof. Ed McKone) and Nephrology Dialysis Unit (Prof. John Holian & Dr. Aisling O’Riordan) along with John Hickey, St. Vincent’s Foundation and Philip Watt of C.F. Ireland

  4. Emmet’s Ten Tonne Challenge for Haematology

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    Emmet Burns undertook an amazing challenge to raise funds for Haematology care in St. Vincent’s University Hospital and for the Irish Cancer Society in 2021.

    Most innovatively, Emmet lifted 10 Tonnes during the workout, by doing 50 squats, 25 deadlifts and 25 bench-press- all at 100kg; a truly gigantic undertaking.

    The fundraising impact was enormous, as he raised a total of €46,008.60, with €23,004.30 going to each of the two charities benefitting.  St. Vincent’s is most grateful for this huge contribution to our Haematology care.

    Thank you Emmet and thanks also to the many, many people who supported his fundraising.

    Emmet recently called in with his mother to present his fundraising proceeds.

  5. Tralee 80’s Disco Fundraiser for Pancreas Transplant

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    On Friday 10th March last in the Rose Hotel, Tralee an 80’s Disco Fundraiser was held in support of the Pancreas Transplant Unit in St. Vincent’s University Hospital. This event was organised by the Quirke family in collaboration with Anthony O’Connor. Joseph Quirke was the beneficially of a pancreas transplant in recent times, and thankfully, has made fantastic progress.

    The “80’s” raised the wonderful total of €6,700 which will be a fantastic enhancement to the transplant programme. Joseph Quirke recently presented the proceeds to Mr. Tom Gallagher, Pancreas Transplant Surgeon

    Pictured is Joseph Quirke (centre) presenting a cheque for €6,700.00 to Ms. Máire Ní Chinneíde (Transplant Co-Ordinator) and Mr. Tom Gallagher (Surgeon) on behalf of Anthony O’Connor who organised the 80’s Disco Night.

    See also pictures from the function which tells a story of a wonderful event

     

  6. Annual fundraising by St. Michael’s College

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    One of the many attributes that sets St. Michael’s College apart is the emphasis they place on social responsibility. Nowhere is this better exemplified than in their annual sale of Christmas trees for a range of charities. St. Vincent’s is fortunate to have been a beneficiary for many years now.

    This year the management and students again presented €2,500 to the Foundation to be directed to Pancreatic Cancer research in the hospital. This brings to a total of €26,500 contributed by St. Michael’s to a range of worthy causes within St. Vincent’s.

    We are deeply grateful to the school management and all the students who participated in this fantastic result.

  7. Poetry in support of St. Vincent’s

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    St. Vincent’s was fortunate recently to be the beneficiaries of an unusual fundraiser.

    We were delighted to receive a most generous donation of €4,000 from Prof. Gerald Dawe and Mr. John Behan. The donation was from profits raised from the sales of a book of poems, titled “Revenant”, which was a collaboration between Prof. Dawe, who wrote the poems and John Behan, Sculptor who provided the animations.

    The wishes of the donors was that this gift be used for Oncology Nurse Education in St. Vincent’s Private Hospital.

  8. Eamonn & Mary Burke’s St. Stephen’s Day Charity Swim 26th December 2022 in aid of the Liver Unit

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    We believe the current record holders for annual fundraisers are the Burke Family from Arklow. For 17 years, Eamonn & Mary have organised a troupe of brave swimmers to take to the water on St. Stephen’s Day. During that time, they have sometimes been blessed with really good weather conditions, sometimes the weather has been far from ideal, but nevertheless the event happened.

    Over the years, Eamonn & Mary and their family and friends have raised €67,000 for the Liver Unit in St. Vincent’s. This generous support has made an enormous contribution to current and future patients of the unit and we are so grateful for this.

    The swim on St. Stephen’s Day 2022 raised €4,025, which is truly fantastic.

    Eamonn & Mary have always emphasised to us that the fundraising event can only happen because of the huge consistent support they receive each year. We want to particularly thank the Bridge Hotel for their catering each year for the participants and for the R.N.L.I. for ensuring the safety of all taking part.

    Once again our sincere thanks and we look forward to next St. Stephen’s Day.

    See photos below from the Charity Swim and the cheque presentation by Eamonn & Mary.

  9. VHI Women’s Mini Marathon Sunday 4th June 2023 – fundraise for St. Vincent’s

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    Thank you to all who have previously supported St. Vincent’s in this event over the years.

    If you are taking part in this year’s event, 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.

    To register and for further details log onto Vhi Womens Mini Marathon

    Please consider setting up a fundraising page for St. Vincent’s Foundation.

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

     

     

  10. The Wild Run West – 5 marathons in 72 hours – fundraiser for St. Vincent’s Liver Unit & Fowlers Syndrome

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    In a most challenging undertaking, members of the Quinn family from Ballybay, County Monaghan will be completing 5 marathons in 72 hours on St. Patrick’s weekend. Ailbhe Quinn’s words below capture this more than anything we could say:

    This March Ailbhe, Bob and Eiméar will be running from Co. Monaghan to Westport, Co. Mayo (5 marathons – 210km) in 72 hours for two very special causes. Paddy’s weekend 2023 done differently!

    We’re raising much-needed funds for Fowlers Syndrome and the Liver Unit, St. Vincent’s University Hospital. These are both amazing causes very close to our hearts, and all money raised will be split evenly between both charities.

    Chronic illnesses can be largely invisible to others but living with constant pain, endless medical appointments and major surgeries are just day-to-day life for many people. These charities are doing fantastic work to ease this burden and need our continuing support.

    Donate on GoFundMe:

    https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-wild-run-west-5-marathons-in-72-hours?qid=dcbcd73cd67876136b15a30ef6ea5b5e

    Virtual Event Option

    Since members of the public can’t take part in the main event, we currently have a virtual Walk, jog, run event taking place from 20th Feb – 5th of March.

    All details are here

    https://myrunresults.com/events/wild_run_virtual_challenge/4700/details

     FOLLOW OUR PROGRESS ON INSTAGRAM @thewildrunwest

    It is clear that this fundraiser will be highly successful based on the response so far, and we are deeply grateful to all involved for this phenomenal  effort.