Mater Hospital Foundation urges people in Louth to support its Christmas Appeal

The Mater Hospital Foundation is calling on people in Louth to support its vital Christmas Appeal and help bring moments of joy, happiness, and hope to Mater Hospital patients with cancer and other serious illnesses.

As the days grow shorter and the fairy lights start to go up, the Mater Hospital's medical teams are working around the clock to care for patients and manage the many challenges that winter brings.

Every day, the Mater team provides urgent, world-class care to patients from across the country. And as we approach Christmas, they are committed to getting as many people as possible home from hospital to celebrate with family and loved ones.

However, the reality is that this December, many seriously ill patients will spend their Christmas Day in hospital, under the expert care of Mater doctors and nurses like Fionnuala Hammond.

Fionnuala is Clinical Nurse Manager in St. Vincent's Cancer and Haematology Ward. She says, "Your kindness this Christmas will not only help provide the very best of care for patients too sick to go home, but you'll also be helping to bring precious and profound moments of pure joy to people fighting for their lives."

Aidan* is just one patient who was cared for over Christmas in the final weeks of his life. He was diagnosed with aggressive cancer, and by the time Christmas came around, Aidan was in one of the hospital's end-of-life suites.

He was just 36 when he passed away, but the end-of-life facilities that were made possible through public donations made a real difference to him and his family, who had the space and privacy to spend those final precious days and hours together.

The Mater Hospital Foundation raises funds to enhance the life-saving work of the Mater Hospital, by funding advanced state-of the-art medical equipment, new services and hospital redevelopment, research and innovation initiatives, and by providing patient, family and staff support when it is most needed.

Mary Moorhead, Chief Executive of the Mater Hospital Foundation says, "Cancer doesn’t stop for Christmas, and that’s why we will continue to raise the urgent funds needed to care for the Mater’s sickest patients.

"Your generosity will bring comfort and joy to those who will be too sick to go home for Christmas. We hope that you will stand with our patients this festive season and give a special gift that will make a real difference in the lives of so many patients."

She adds, "I would like to take the opportunity to thank each and every individual, community and company that has helped the Mater Hospital this year, by donating, volunteering or fundraising to enhance patient care. From all of us here in the Foundation and the hospital, we wish you a Happy Christmas and a peaceful, healthy New Year."

You can donate this Christmas to support the vital work of the Mater Hospital by visiting www.materfoundation.ie/donate or by calling the Mater Hospital Foundation team on 01 830 3482.

* Note – Aidan’s name has been changed to protect his anonymity