12 October 2015

Friday 2nd October saw those individuals, teams, and fundraising volunteers who go the extra mile for patients and colleagues at The Mercy University Hospital, officially recognised at The Mercy Stars awards night which was held in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cork.

 

The Mercy Stars, organised by the Mercy Hospital Foundation and The Mercy University Hospital, celebrate the people who, through their fundraising efforts, make things a little easier for patients, who help the Foundation invest in new technologies to ensure that The Mercy is at the forefront of the effective diagnosis, treatment and care of Mercy patients. The awards also recognise the hospital staff, who in the eyes of patients, colleagues, peers and managers, make life better in the Hospital on a day to day basis. Sponsored by KBC, and supported by Keanes Jewellers and Carry Out Blackpool, The Mercy Stars is one of the most highly anticipated events on the Mercy’s calendar.

 

Brenda Doody from Tralee, Co. Kerry was named The Mercy Stars Hero of the Year, recognising her for the marathon challenge she took on earlier this year following her husband Pat’s cancer journey at the Mercy. In May 2014 Pat was diagnosed by Mr Tom Murphy with oesophageal cancer, and underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and had an oesophagectomy. As a thank you to Consultant Mr Murphy and his team, Brenda committed to running 12 marathons in eight months, starting in March and finishing this October, in order to raise funds for The Mercy. Today Pat is recovering well and Brenda is coming up to her last marathon having raised a phenomenal €21,000 to date.

 

The Special Recognition Award for an Individual was awarded to Moya Muldowney from Cobh. In 2009, Moya’s sister, Aileen was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung & Bone cancer and was treated in St. Therese’s Oncology Ward. Sadly, Aileen passed away in 2010 at the age of 30. This year Moya bravely told her story on the Radiothon appeal and in a letter to Mercy donors. This touching story moved so many that over €60,000 was raised. The Muldowney family has also raised a fantastic €15,000 with their annual Christmas lights show at their home in Cobh. Another Cobh winner was Don Ryan and Co Solicitors which was named Local Business Hero of the Year. This year the Mercy Hospital Foundation worked with the Cobh solicitors on a new fundraising initiative, “Make a Will Week”, inviting members of the public to come along and have their will written for free in exchange for a donation to The Mercy.

 

Organisers on D’hillbillies Mud Run were named Event Organisers of the Year. On a cold wet day last November, 1,050 brave men and women got down and dirty at D’Hillbillies Mud Run in Mitchelstown, raising a phenomenal €16,000 for cancer services at The Mercy. The Mitchelstown Lions Club, the Curraghagalla Community Group, and all that volunteered made the day a huge success, so much so that they are going to do it all again on the 17th October.

 

In the fundraising category, Shauna McHugh was named Face to Face Fundraiser of the Year. Currently The Mercy has thousands of people all over Cork donating €15 a month to support the Hospital. This year they will collectively raise over €500,000 for the Hospital. Shauna’s sterling work alone will result in donations totalling over €12,000 a year. Jack French was named Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year having tirelessly fundraised for the Mercy since 2011 by organising the annual Mercy Golf Classic. Jack has shown commitment and dedication to the Mercy, and over the last five years, the Golf Classics have raised over €72,500.

 

John O’Donovan won an award for the Recycling and Fundraising initiative he works on with his father Denis. When Denis O’Donovan sat down with his wife Angela to discuss the wonderful care and attention she received at St. Therese’s Oncology Unit at the Mercy, they both felt they wanted to give something back. Unfortunately, Angela passed away shortly after, but her legacy lives on in the wonderful work both Denis and John do through the Recycling Appeal, which is close to reaching €50,000. St Angela’s College was named School Fundraiser of the Year 2015, having contributed to The Mercy over the years in many ways including street collections, cake sales, sponsored walks, a Mother and Daughter lunch, and through beautiful performances from their choir that sings for patients in The Mercy each year.

 

The Mercy’s Corporate Partnership with O’Sullivan Brothers Express Kitchens was named Best Corporate Partnership. Each month employees of the company donate an amount through their salary to the Mercy. To date employees have raised over €12,700. Juliet Murphy Health & Fitness was presented with an award for Corporate Event of the Year by KBC’s Sean Michael. Through organising, not one, but multiple events, for the Mercy Hospital Foundation, Juliet Murphy Health & Fitness has flown the flag for the Mercy since 2011. Juliet and her team of challengers have run, spun and pushed themselves towards raising over €26,781 so far.

 

The Hospital Award winners were Dietician Team (Clinical Team of the Year), St. Joseph’s Ward (Ward Team of the Year), Noonans Cleaners (Support Services Team), Reception (Hospital Services Team), and Miss Catherine Murphy (Life Time Achievement).

 

Speaking at the awards, Micheál Sheridan, CEO, 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. It is only apt that we thank and reward those who help to make The Mercy a world class hospital, right on your doorstep, and The Mercy Stars is a great way of recognising their efforts.”

 

The Mercy Hospital Foundation would like to extend thanks to Mercy Stars sponsor, KBC; and to Keanes Jewellers, and Carry Out Blackpool for their support. Further information on all the night’s winners is available on www.mercyfundraising.ie.