Heart House
In Ireland heart disease directly affects nearly one in three of us - and the rest of us will know someone who has a heart related illness. While each year more Irish people are surviving heart disease thanks to advances in education and treatment, people with heart disease still require special care at every stage of their illness and recovery. Heart House provides these people and their families with a safe and comfortable place to heal and receive treatment.’
Mary Moorhead, Chief Executive, The Mater Foundation
In February 2004 Heart House became a reality when we were honoured to have The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese officially open the newly renovated building, Heart House. Located at 53-54 Eccles Street, Heart House is currently operational with a Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Unit and a Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit.
Over the last three years The Mater Foundation, together with The Mater Cardiac Team, has been raising funds for a Family Heart Screening Clinic for families who have lost loved ones to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome – a sudden cardiac death of an apparently fit and healthy young person. This clinic provides a full screening facility for immediate family members of victims of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) and completes the final stage in the redevelopment of Heart House.
Heart House is making a real and lasting difference to the lives of those people, from all over the country who pass through its doors each day.
Information on Sudden Adult Death Syndrome – SADS
Although accurate statistics are not available experts estimate that at least one young Irish person under the age of 35 dies suddenly each week from cardiac diseases such as Cardiomyopathy or Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). The Mater Cardiac Team, in association with The Mater Foundation took on the challenge to raise urgently needed funds for a Family Screening Clinic -to reduce the incidence of these tragic and silent deaths through a comprehensive screening facility for those most at risk - first degree relative members of victims of SADS. We were delighted to have Minister for Health & Children Ms Mary Harney T. D. on Monday 5th February officially open the clinic in February 2007.
"Because deaths from SADS are so unexpected and exact diagnosis so difficult, those left behind experience extreme confusion, bewilderment and guilt as they struggling to uncover a reason for the loss of their loved one. Many families spend months, if not years, trying to find out the exact nature of the disease and living with the fear that they or their other children may be at risk. It is crucial that we provide a facility where all their concerns can be addressed quickly and by those who understand their special situation".
- Mary Moorhead, Chief Executive, The Mater Foundation.
Most victims of SADS are active youngsters who report no symptoms before their fatal collapse. The deaths in particular of young sports people including 22 year old Tyrone football captain Cormac McAnnallan, 18 year old Royal Armagh School rugby team captain John McCall and Kevin Quinn, a young Cork hurler have further highlighted the effects of this tragic condition. Dr Joseph Galvin, Consultant Cardiologist in the Mater Hospital states, 'Many of the cardiac arrhythmias and structural defects that may cause sudden death in the young are identifiable through screening. With treatment, many people with these conditions can potentially have normal life spans and lifestyles.'
Each year The Mater Foundation run their Mater Heart Appeal to help fund the services offered in Heart House. Currently our appeal is to raise funds for the continual development and for much-needed equipment for the Family Heart Screening Clinic and to raise awareness of SADS. The Mater Heart Appeal in 2008 will take place from Saturday 16th February to Saturday 23rd February.
“We really are delighted that the Family Heart Screening Clinic is now a reality. However, we do still need to fundraise to provide the clinic with much-needed equipment and to develop the clinic to ensure as many families as possible who are affected are screened here at The Mater Hospital. I would like to thank all our volunteers who have tirelessly fundraised over the years to raise enough money to open this clinic and who have helped highlight the tragic incidence of SADS.”
- Mary Moorhead, Chief Executive
