Calling all ladies who lunch!

16 May 2014

Following on from the success of previous Mercy Ladies Lunches, which have raised over €40,000 to date to support cancer services at the Mercy Hospital, The Mercy University Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce details of this year’s event, which takes place in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cork on Saturday 14th June.

On arrival guests will enjoy a drinks reception, with entertainment from Voiceworks Youth Choir  kids and teens, followed by a sumptuous three course meal with wine kindly sponsored by Classic Drinks. Ladies should dress to impress as Keanes Jewellers has sponsored prizes for the two ‘Best Dressed Ladies’. On top of that, every lady in attendance will walk away with a fabulous goodie bag and there are some great spot prizes to be won.

Proceeds raised at this year’s Ladies Lunch will benefit the Mercy Cancer Appeal, which aims to raise €2.5 million by 2016 to fund key services and advancements in the treatment of and research into many cancers; and in particular The Mercy Cancer Support Centre. €1 million is required to fund the development of the Centre at Sheares Street which will provide a quiet, safe place for patients and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis to come to receive support through their cancer journey.

Erica Mulvihill, Cancer Nurse Specialist at the Mercy has spoken about the difference funds will make: “Being a nurse dealing with cancer patients you are their advocate, you are their voice and their guiding hand when adversity strikes. It is a great privilege to be involved in this journey with patients and their families. The Cancer Support Centre at Sheares Street will be hugely beneficial and as cancer nurses, it will aid our practice immensely at the time of a devastating diagnosis. It will be a safe haven with comfortable non intimidating surroundings where privacy and dignity are paramount, a non-clinical environment where patients can sit with family and nurses and go through the news that they have been diagnosed with cancer.”

Speaking about the upcoming event, lunch organiser, Deirdre Finn, Community and Events Fundraiser at the Mercy University Hospital Foundation said “Our Ladies Lunch is a great opportunity to meet old friends and to make new ones, as well as being an integral part of the Mercy Hospital Foundation’s fundraising efforts, as it helps fund the Mercy’s cancer care services. Tickets are already selling fast for this year’s event, so we’re encouraging ladies to get their tickets soon!”

Deirdre added “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 ladies who support our Ladies Lunch.”

Tickets are €50 each and are available from www.mercyfundraising.ie or by calling (021) 4274076.