Flora Women’s Mini Marathon have announced that they have almost reached maximum numbers so avoid disappointment and sign up this Easter weekend to run or walk for the Mater Foundation. http://www.florawomensminimarathon.ie/
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“Athletes told to get checked for heart defects”
March 20th, 2012 Posted in: General, News No Comments
Irish Independent Monday March 19 2012
YOUNG people involved in competitive sport at all levels are being warned to undergo screening for heart defects that lead to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).
The call came yesterday following the hospitalisation of Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba (23), who collapsed on Saturday during a match against Tottenham Hotspur.
He suffered sudden heart failure despite undergoing regular, rigorous health screenings.
Dr Catherine McGorrian, a cardiologist with the Mater Family Heart Screening Clinic, said that almost one person a week aged between 14 and 35 died of SADS in Ireland.
The condition is especially prevalent here and young sportspeople are being urged to get checked for genetic heart problems — a decision that could save their life.
Complicated
SADS, which can be caused by a number of different heart defects, is as likely to occur in women as it is in men.
Dr McGorrian said the screening was non-invasive and that people from families where a sudden death has occurred were most at risk. She explained screening could be complicated and even if someone was given the all-clear, heart conditions could develop as people grew.
Dr McGorrian also said that resources for funding were vital.
“We get no government funding and we work entirely on donations,” she said.
Dr McGorrian also called for a public debate on Health Minister James Reilly‘s decision earlier this month to destroy more than one million archived blood samples taken from newborns.
The samples, taken without parental consent, hold the potential to help in wiping out genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis and are particularly valuable in genetic tests for diagnosing SADS.
The Mater Foundation today launches its annual call to women for Mini Marathon!
March 14th, 2012 Posted in: Appeals, General, Marathon, News No Comments
The Mater Foundation today launches its annual call to women all over Dublin to take part in the Mini Marathon this year and help raise funds for any one of its three Appeals -the Mater Foundation Appeal for Patient Care, the Breast Cancer Appeal or the Heart Appeal – all run by the Foundation.
This year, please run, walk or crawl the Mini Marathon and support any area of the Mater Hospital. Your determination, your fundraising – you decide! Many of you supported us last year – thank you! Please join us again – your support is vital, especially at this time.
First register with the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon team as soon as possible by filling in a form in the Evening Herald or online at www.womensminimarathon.ie. Then contact Mary on (01) 830 3482 or check out www.materfoundation.ie, let us know which Appeal you would like to support and we will send you your fundraising pack including a t-shirt, sponsorship card and information leaflet all about the big day.
We will be with you every step of the way with training tips and personal stories on our blog and Facebook page at www.facebook.com/materfoundation.
Then join us afterwards on the day at our Annual Marathon After Party to meet the fundraising team and have a few nibbles and drinks to celebrate finishing the marathon. Looking forward to having you on board!
Our three Appeals are:
The Mater Foundation financially supports many areas of the Mater Hospital. You can choose to take part and raise funds for any Ward or Department throughout the hospital or donate towards a general fund to improve patient care.
The Breast Cancer Appeal at the Mater Foundation funds the continual development of Breast Health Mater, the Symptomatic Breast Clinic at the Mater Hospital, helping fund treatment for and research into breast cancer.
The Heart Appeal at the Mater Foundation raises vital funds for the Mater Family Heart Screening Clinic located at Heart House. This clinic screens family members of those who have died suddenly and unexpectedly due to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) or Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD).
As the official fundraising body of the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, the Mater Foundation exists to ensure that all patients of the Mater Hospital receive exceptional care in a restful, healing and comfortable environment. This ethos is sustained each and every day through the wonderful support received from donors to these three Appeals within the
Mater Foundation.
For further information please contact:
The Mater Foundation: Mary Chambers 01 830 3482 or mchambers@materfoundation.ie
To view the photos from our launch click here
Heartworks’ Transthoracic Echo Simulator Offers a Classroom Experience Without a Human Heart!
March 13th, 2012 Posted in: General, Grants, News No Comments
Great Morning! Saw the Heartworks Echo Simulator in action. The Mater Foundation funded this simulator in 2010. It comprises of a mannequin torso, probe and visualization software. It enables trainee doctors to control a probe which gives real-time imaging of the virtual heart using a manikin. Just incredible!!
