This year the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) celebrates its 160th anniversary, while The Mercy Hospital Foundation celebrates its 10th birthday; and to celebrate 160 years of Mercy care for the sick, together they will host The Mercy Hospital Anniversary Ball on Friday, November 17th at The Clayton Hotel Silversprings, Cork.
This very special event is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the historical and current contribution made by MUH, its clinicians, its care givers, its staff and the Foundation to the people of Cork and beyond. The contribution the Hospital makes to both the delivery of healthcare, education and the wider economic and social agenda within Cork is significant, and as such it has rightfully earned the respect and support of the public as a much beloved institution.
The spectacular event on November 17th will kick off the festive season, and will see Hospital staff, former patients, and supporters from the corporate, political and social world come together to celebrate; and in turn, raise funds for various projects underway in The Mercy Hospital. The highly anticipated black-tie event begins with a champagne drinks reception at 7pm, followed by a 5 course meal and entertainment to keep the dance floor busy until the early hours!
Speaking about the contribution of MUH to Cork, and what the future holds, Sandra Daly, CEO, The Mercy University Hospital said “We are delighted to be celebrating 160 years of care in Cork at The Mercy, and the upcoming Anniversary Ball offers a great opportunity for people connected through MUH to come together, have some fun, and recognise the Hospital’s significant contribution to Cork and look to the future.
“Healthcare is primarily a values driven sector and this is particularly evident in the Mercy as a voluntary hospital due to its legacy which today remains mission focused and consistent with the ethos and values of our founders. MUH will continue to serve the people of Cork for the decades to come with the same values and standards of care, albeit in a changing landscape as has been done for the past 160 years.”
Ms Daly concluded “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Mercy Foundation for their ongoing and invaluable assistance to the hospital. They have our deepest thanks and gratitude as together, with your support; we are able to enhance the services we provide.”
Micheál Sheridan, CEO at the Mercy Hospital Foundation added “We believe that the Mercy University Hospital will continue to serve the people of Cork for the decades to come, as it has been done for the past 160 years and we are building a Foundation that we want to stand the same test of time so that we can continue to provide support to the work of clinicians and care givers across the hospital to people when they need help the most. Our mission is to inspire people to support advancements in research, diagnosis, treatments and care of patients at The Mercy University Hospital, the People’s Hospital.
“Just like our predecessors, the Hospital today endeavours to respond to the particular needs of its time. The Mercy by virtue of its ethos, heritage and geographical location is best placed to provide care to the sick in today’s society. We can of course only do this with the invaluable support of donors.”
Funds raised through the Anniversary Ball will go towards projects and services including the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre; the Endoscopic Ultrasound Service (EUS); and an advanced 3D Minimally Invasive Surgery System.
The Mercy provides the largest EUS service in Ireland, it is the only hospital outside Dublin providing such a service to biopsy and stage oesophageal, gastric and pancreatic cancers. It offers this service to patients across the counties of Kerry, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Clare and Tipperary. Recently the Foundation made a funding commitment of €345,000 to support this service to secure its future in Cork, enabling more people to access this vital service in Cork.
Costing €165,000, the 3D Minimally Invasive Surgery System will help to improve the speed, accuracy and precision of surgical tasks in major complex surgeries and will greatly enhance outcomes for patients diagnosed with cancers of the oesophagus, stomach and bowel as well as cancers of the kidney, liver and prostate.
Tickets for The Mercy Hospital Anniversary Ball are prices €100 each and are available online at www.mercyfundraising.ie or by calling (021) 4274076.