Michael’s Story:

Having undergone a double lung transplant to treat Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2020, Michael decided to set up a fundraiser during his recovery. Thanks to the generous support of colleagues, family and friends, almost €270k was raised for the Heart & Lung Unit.

This Christmas, Michael continues to be an advocate for the vital care provided at the Mater, and is fundraising to secure 12 mechanical ventilators and humidifiers – the best technology available for keeping ICU patients alive and breathing until their body recovers.

Here’s his inspirational story.

“I was diagnosed in 2020 with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. This caused a rapid deterioration in my lung function, and as a result I required a double lung transplant in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.

I was lucky to receive this transplant just in time, with huge thanks to my Donor and their family, and the brilliant medical team in the Mater Hospital. My experience brought home to me the huge importance of organ donation, research and dedicated facilities in the Mater.

As I began my recovery, and in conjunction with the medical team in the Mater, we decided to set up a fundraiser. My ambition was to raise funds for sensory and other equipment in the seven existing isolation rooms in the heart and lung transplant unit. These vital funds would improve patients’ well-being and make this very difficult and traumatic period pre- and post-transplant more manageable.

Thanks to the generous support of colleagues, family and friends, we raised €269,189 for the Heart & Lung Unit. This helped enhance comfort for patients by introducing Smart TVs, exercise equipment, a new lighting system, and other vital medical equipment. The funds raised also helped provide nursing staff with further advanced training courses, and in the development of a new mobile phone app to assist transplant patients pre- and post-op.

This Christmas, I want to continue being an advocate for the vital care provided at the Mater and I need to call on my generous network of friends and companies again. I am championing an important campaign to secure 12 mechanical ventilators and humidifiers – the best technology available for keeping ICU patients alive and breathing until their body recovers.

This will help ensure patients can get world-class care from expert medical teams, in a hospital equipped to a world-class level; creating a facility that will attract top Irish and international medical talent.

If you’re able to support my current fundraising campaign, you’ll find full details here:

Cosgrave Developments Fundraising Page

Thank you”

Michael, Co. Dublin