20 January 2015

The Mercy Hospital Foundation would like to extend a special thank you to two very generous families who lit up their homes and shared the spectacle with their communities in aid of the Mercy over the Christmas holidays. Together, the Muldowney family from Cobh and the Carey family from Youghal raised a staggering €10,455.33 for The Mercy Cancer Appeal.

The Mercy Cancer Appeal aims to raise €2.5 million by 2016 to fund key services and advancements in the treatment of and research into many cancers. In Ireland 30,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed by the end of 2014 and that number is expected to rise to over 40,000 by 2020. For those people in Munster diagnosed with cancer, The Mercy will be at the forefront of diagnosis, research, treatment and care. €1 million is required to fund the development of The Mercy Cancer Care Centre. This centre based on the grounds of the Hospital will provide a quiet, safe place for patients and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis to come to receive support through their cancer journey.

 From December 8th to New Year’s Eve, the Muldowney household in Cobh was illuminated, with a special lights and Christmas music show nightly. The light show was free of charge, but people were invited to donate, with the total of €6,413.93 raised going directly to the Mercy Oncology Unit and Chaplaincy. Speaking at the cheque presentation, Moya Muldowney said “The interest in our Christmas light show was tremendous and I would like to thank all those families who came out and supported such a worthy cause through their generous donations – real people making a real difference. You never know when cancer may come to your door and you may need the care and support that is available at The Mercy Hospital.”

 Pat Carey’s Christmas Lights Show in Youghal offered Christmas cheer every night until Christmas Eve in lieu of a charitable donation, raising €4,041.40 for the Mercy Oncology Unit. Visitors were treated to musical performances from Brú na Sí, the Holy Family Choir, and Cumann Na Daoine choir while Lidl in Youghal supported the cause by providing sweets and refreshments to visitors. Organiser Pat Carey said “I was an oncology patient at The Mercy University Hospital and decided that lighting my house at Christmas was a way to give something back and thanking the staff who gave me care that was second to none. I would encourage anyone who lights up their house at Christmas, and hasn’t done so for a charity before, to bear the Mercy in mind next December and consider the real difference their support could make to lives.”

 This wasn’t the first time either family has helped the Mercy. Moya Muldowney and Pat Carey have both been dedicated supporters of the hospital for a number of years, and combined they have raised a phenomenal €21,252.22 in three years.

 The Mercy Hospital Foundation is encouraging families who would like to shine a light on cancer services at the Mercy by putting on Christmas light displays next December to contact Deirdre Finn on (021) 4274076 to find out how to get involved.

 Deirdre Finn, Community & Events Fundraiser, Mercy Hospital Foundation said “Our mission is to support the Hospital in delivering the highest quality of patient care by raising funds to support advancements and innovation in the treatment and care of patients at the Mercy Hospital, the People’s Hospital. We promise to do our very best to provide you with a world class hospital, right on your doorstep, and this is only possible through the help of our supporters and donors, like the Muldowneys and Careys.”

 Further information on The Mercy Cancer Appeal is available on www.mercyfundraising.ie.