GMAC chips in for Crumlin’s Sick Kids
One of Ireland’s biggest golfing stars, Graeme McDowell made children with serious heart problems feel way above par when he visited the Cardiac Unit at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.
McDowell’s G-Mac Foundation donated $200,000 earlier this year to the rebuild campaign for the Cardiac Unit, which treats patients from all over the island of Ireland. His visit allowed him to see the building changes that will transform children’s time in hospital if the urgent Fix Crumlin Appeal reaches its fundraising goal. McDowell is a strong supporter of the country’s biggest children’s hospital and wants to see that the current cramped and antiquated wards are completely refurbished so that children and their parents can be accommodated comfortably in up to date facilities.
In March this year, The Children’s Medical & Research Foundation (CMRF) at Crumlin Children’s Hospital launched an ambitious campaign to raise €8 million to renovate the cardiac and cancer facilities for very sick children. Since then, €4 million has been raised, which means that the hospital is half way towards achieving its goal. The hospital aims to be able to provide top class facilities by Summer 2013 - five years ahead of the expected opening date for the new children’s hospital.
“The work that the staff undertakes at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin is incredible,” McDowell said.
“They work tirelessly in run-down and cramped conditions every day to help make children healthy again. When I first visited the hospital last year I couldn’t believe how outdated the conditions were and the pressure that patients, parents and staff face on the cardiac ward because of this.
“My Foundation is focused on working with the Cardiac Unit but the whole hospital needs peoples’ help and funds. The hospital is half way there with the Cardiac Unit, we have to support it to get to its crucial end-goal for sick children and their parents.”
In St Teresa’s and St Brigid’s Cardiology Wards, the doctors and staff can expect to see approximately 550 children with serious heart problems every year. Parents of these very sick cardiac patients sleep on cramped corridors and wards. If Crumlin reaches its fundraising goal, the new redeveloped Cardiac Unit will have more space, private rooms with ensuite faciliies as well as dedicated parent and family rooms.
McDowell’s generous donation was made through his G-Mac Foundation which is set up to support children’s medical research in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the United States.
To donate to the Fix Crumlin Appeal call 1890 507 508 or go to fixcrumlin.ie
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Weather for Coleraine
Monday 20 May 2013
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