Press Release
For immediate release May 1st, 2012
Hearty Fools Cycle from Mizen to Malin in aid of the Mater Cardiology Department
The Mater Foundation is asking your support for a brave group of Hilton Food employees and friends (The Hearty Fools) who will embark on a 665km cycling challenge to raise urgent funds for the Cardiology Department in the Mater Hospital. The cycle, which takes place from 3rd May and sees a team cycle from Mizen to Malin over 4 days, begins on 3rd May and they will arrive on 6th May in Malin travelling through Killarney, Oranmore, Galway, Claremorris, Bundoran and finishing at Malin Head. The team hope to raise €50,000 for the Mater Foundation which is the official fundraising body of the Mater Hospital. Leading Cardiologist Prof Declan Sugrue will join them on some of the journey.
The Hearty Fools were inspired to do this cycle as some have experienced at first hand the tremendous work of both the team of Cardiologists and the Mater Hospital in the treatment and support of patients and their families, in particular the Hilton Foods MD, Frank McMyler. Without their great work and care, his participation in this Charity Cycle would never have been possible.
Frank suffered a heart attack on the 2nd November 2009 just two days after his 40th birthday. “For the team in the Mater, who do such an excellent job, although my surgery to them is just one of many procedures a week, it was a life changing experience for my family and I.”
“Since my operation I have always had an idea at the back of my mind that I would like to do something to give a little back to the team and systems which treated me so well. In an attempt to give a little something back and potentially help others who find themselves in my position, the idea of this charity cycle was born.”
The monies raised will go towards the new 24 hour Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath Lab). The Cath Lab is a national referral centre for patients being assessed for Heart Transplantation or the Adult Congenital Heart Service. It also provides a 24/7 emergency service 365 days a year for patients who are suffering from a heart attack. The cardiac catheterization laboratories in the Mater Hospital remains among the busiest in the country and continues to deliver on providing state of the art therapies to a high volume of complex cardiac patients.
Ends
For further information, contact:
Arlene Hogan
Email- ahogan@materfoundation.ie
Phone- 01 854 5289
Mobile- 085-7327063
Notes to editor:
The Mater Foundation
The Mater Foundation was established in 1985 as the official fundraising body of The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.
It exists to inspire and enable financial support from the community for exceptional patient care at The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.
Funds raised through the Mater Foundation are used to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, enhance facilities and to ensure that all patients at the hospital are cared for in a restful, healing and comfortable environment.
Working closely with healthcare professionals, hospital management, our donors and volunteers, the Mater Foundation makes possible the investment of the community in its own healthcare.
The Mater Foundation Mission and Vision
The key values that the Mater Foundation holds strongly are as follows:
•To enhance patient care, characterised by high quality, integrity and respect for recipients.
•To be transparent and accountable.
•To respect and value people.
If you wish to contact the Mater Foundation please contact:
The Mater Foundation, 53-54 Eccles St, Dublin 7
Tel: (01) 830 3482 Fax: (01) 830 5201
E-mail: contact@materfoundation.ie
Visit www.materfoundation.ie
