11 December 2015

The Mercy University Hospital welcomed a number of very special visitors to the ward this week to spread Christmas cheer.

 

Princess Jasmine and members of the Aladdin cast from this year’s Christmas panto at The Everyman Theatre paid a visit to St. Anne’s Paediatric Ward on Wednesday 9th December to say hello to all the girls and boys, and to also help staff to put up Christmas cards sent to cancer patients as part of the Mercy Hospital Foundation’s Christmas Appeal.

 

The cast from Aladdin weren’t the only visitors this week as Santa and his elves from The Santa Experience also made their annual visit to St. Anne’s Paediatric Ward and handed out gifts to some very deserving children on Tuesday 8th December, raising smiles and spirits in the ward. Gifts were kindly donated by The Santa Experience in association with Dunnes Stores.

 

For the Christmas Appeal, the Mercy Hospital Foundation sent letters to its donors from all across Munster asking them to consider donating to the Mercy Cancer Appeal. Enclosed with the letter was a Christmas card for donors to write their own message to the patients of The Mercy and to send back to bring hope to those families experiencing the trauma of cancer.

 

Jo-Anne Higgins, Fundraising Officer at the Mercy University Hospital Foundation said “We asked our supporters to help us bring hope to cancer patients with their Christmas gift this year, and we were overwhelmed by the kindness expressed in the cards that came back. We’re touched by some of the messages of inspiration that have come through. These cards will be given to patients at Christmas time and some will also be on display in the reception of the Hospital.”

 

Some Christmas messages from donors:

  • “For you who are struggling with your illness, don’t despair for hope lies ahead as those dreary days will pass and brighter days will come.”
  • “Hoping this season of goodwill will remind us all that we are all on a journey, for some it can be difficult, but a helping hand is never beyond reach.”
  • “Stay strong and remember you have the best people taking care of you. Everything will turn right for you and yours.”
  • “Sending you warm wishes this Christmas, and may 2016 bring for you a return to good health and happiness.”
  • “You are in my thoughts and prayers. I have been there and with the greatest care, help and treatment, I am now back and leading a great life.”

 

Every donation made as part of the Christmas Appeal makes a difference:

  • €20 could pay for counselling sessions to support a person dealing with a cancer diagnosis
  • €100 could help pay for genetic tests that allow our doctors to personalise treatment for bowel cancer patients
  • €50 could help pay for a defibrillator for St. Therese’s Oncology Ward
  • €300 could pay for one new IV stand to administer chemotherapy to patients
  • €1,000 could bring them so much closer to completing work on the new Mercy Cancer CARE Centre

 

If you would like to give a Christmas Gift to the Mercy, please call 021 4274076 to make a donation or visit www.mercyfundraising.ie.