Mayo University Hospital thanks Dermot Flanagan and friends for donation of €55,000

Mayo University Hospital (MUH) is delighted to receive a donation €55,000 which was fundraised by Dermot Flanagan, team mates and friends for cancer services in the hospital.

Dermot is a former Mayo captain and GAA all star, member of the 1989, 1996 and 1997 senior football teams, and proud Ballaghadereen native. He was motivated to undertake the fundraiser after undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) a number of years ago.

The fundraising event took place over eight days in August 2021, Dermot cycled to every GAA club in county Mayo starting at his home club in Ballaghadereen and finishing in Louisburgh.

Speaking about the cycle Dermot said, “I received such a warm welcome in every club I visited and was overwhelmed with the engagement and support from the Mayo public. I want to thank every person who donated and sent messages of support. The amount raised far exceeded my expectations and is a testament to the generosity and community spirit of the people of Mayo.

“This fundraiser is very close to my heart because I know first-hand how life changing it is to receive a cancer diagnosis. Thankfully, my cancer was caught early, was treatable and I am in full remission since 2018. It is my hope now that this donation will play a small role in supporting the hospital in the continued delivery of oncology services in Mayo.

Dermot added, “I would like to say a special word of thanks to Connolly Motors Castlebar who provided the support vehicles throughout the eight days of the cycle.”

Catherine Donohoe, Hospital Manager at MUH added, “I am so pleased to accept this donation of €55,000. On behalf of the hospital and our patients I want to thank Dermot and all those who donated for this incredible gesture which will go towards enhancing cancer care for patients in MUH.”  

Prof Michael Kerin (Clinical Director Saolta Cancer MCAN) said, “ I am very grateful to Dermot and his team mates for the wonderful fundraiser and support for the cancer programme in Mayo and the Saolta MCAN network. As Europe’s most westerly cancer network providing care for a region with significant deprivation, we are very conscious of the improvements which will be necessary to deliver world class cancer care for our population. This award represents a really great stimulus for the cancer programme in Mayo.”