Kenny Family presents cheque for €40,500 to University Hospital Galway

A very generous donation of €40,500 was recently presented to the Intensive Care Unit and the Patient Comfort Fund at University Hospital Galway (UHG) in memory of the late Mary Kenny from Loughrea, Co Galway. In addition, €5,000 was donated to Strange Boat Donor Foundation – The National Organ Donor Commemorative Garden (Circle of Life) located in Galway, and €2,000 to Quest Brain Injury Services, Galway.

The cheque was presented to the Intensive Care Unit and the Patient Comfort Fund, by John and Isabelle Kenny (husband and daughter of the late Mary Kenny). The funds were raised through activities which included a GoFundMe page, a coffee morning bonanza at the Willow Café in conjunction with The Woodford Garden Centre.  An evening of music was also held in Carton House along with a raffle and spot prizes sponsored by local businesses and finally, 20 brave individuals ‘Jumped for Mary’ by partaking in a sky dive.

John and Isabelle Kenny expressed their gratitude and said,  “We would like to thank the doctors and nurses who cared for Mary in her final days. The medical and nursing team supported us to make the final decision to entrust Mary to the angels and to donate Mary’s organs, saving three people’s lives. To this dedicated, professional, supportive and compassionate team – from our family to yours we say a heartfelt thank you.”

Gillian Shanahan, Organ Donation Nurse Manager said, “We are forever humbled by organ donors and their families who find the strength in their depths of grief, to give the gift of life. On behalf of myself and the team at University Hospital Galway we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those involved for their time and efforts in raising this substantial amount. The money will be used to improve patients' and families' comfort and experience while in the Intensive Care Unit."

Photo caption:
Cheque Presentation to UHG
Pictured at the cheque presentation to the Intensive Care Unit and Patient Comfort Fund at University Hospital Galway, from left front row: Bernie Moran; Edel Kelly, Assistant Directive of Nursing; John Kenny; Isabelle Kenny; Gillian Shanahan, Organ Donation Nurse Manager; Emma Gunning; Yvonne Shaw, Clinical Nurse Manager 2, ICU; Angela Burke O’Brien, Clinical Nurse Manager 2, ICU.

From left back row: Pauline May, Assistant Director of Nursing /Former Organ Donation Nurse Manager; Pat Kenny; Dr John Bates, Consultant Intensivist; Ann Sheehan, Clinical Facilitator; Orla Kelly Critical Care Nurse.