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So far Arthur Goan has created 252 blog entries.

Everglades Coffee Morning

Once again, thank you so much for everyone who turned up at the Everglades coffee morning organised by the RVH Liver Support Group and hosted by Ashley and Arthur, both committee members.

It turned out such a beautiful day for the event and it was an opportunity to catch up with old friends and indeed, as was the case on Thursday, to make new ones!!

We would like to remind folks that these coffee mornings are for ALL liver patients irrespective of the liver condition or its cause. We welcome and indeed want to see as many people attend as possible. We would also like to emphasise that you do not have to come alone; in fact we do not want you to come alone.  You are most welcome to bring a family member or indeed a friend along with you.

Our next coffee morning will be in the Burrendale Hotel (Newcastle) on June 4th starting at 10.00 am.

Everglades Coffee Morning2025-05-11T21:36:32+01:00

Moy Park Belfast City Marathon 2025 in pictures…

As the accompanying song says, “we light up the world”  and indeed each and every person who took part in the Moy Park Belfast City Marathon  2025 did just that whether it be the organisers, the many marshals, the beverage suppliers along the routes and all of the marathon runners, relay runners and walkers.. The RVH Liver Support Group team did themselves proud this year. The entire route was awash with sky blue t-shirts!! We had one of our liver consultants, Dr Roger McCorry (and a big thank you to him) , complete the marathon whilst doctors from Ward 6D and specialist liver nurses completed the relay with committee member Sharon Millen. And, if that wasn’t enough, we had committee members Ashley Collins and Arthur Goan heading up the many 8 mile walkers; made up of both patients and family members alike. A big congratulations to everyone!!

For 2026 we have already “booked” 7 relay teams and will be looking to increase the total amount of 8 mile walkers to 50. We look to anyone who feels fit and able to join with us in making 2026 even better.

Moy Park Belfast City Marathon 2025 in pictures…2025-05-11T21:25:46+01:00

Seagoe Coffee Morning

Our second coffee morning of the year was held in the Seagoe Hotel Craigavon on April 8th. It was another successful event with many patients coming along for a chat, coffee and scone!!

Our next coffee morning will be at the Everglades Hotel Derry/LDerry on May 8th from 10am to 12:30pm.

Seagoe Coffee Morning2025-04-14T12:32:52+01:00

🌱 New Life Gardens – A Celebration of the Gift of Life 🌸

On Sunday 23rd March, the RVH Liver Support Group, alongside transplant charities from across Northern Ireland, came together to celebrate the relaunch of the New Life Gardens at Botanic Gardens, Belfast, and Kiltonga Hall, Newtownards — two special spaces dedicated to honouring the incredible gift of organ and stem cell donation.

We were deeply honoured to be joined at both events by Denis & Martina Goggin, creators of the National Circle of Life Organ Donor Memorial in Salthill, Galway. Following the heartbreaking loss of their son Éamonn, who became an organ donor, Denis and Martina have continued to share his legacy through powerful symbols of remembrance:

🕯 The Candle of Remembrance which was gifted to Belfast city from Galway in  2016 is placed in herbaceous borders, Botanic Gardens
🪨 The NIKPA 25th Anniversary Stone (2017), located at Kiltonga, Newtownards

Both events featured an inspiring lineup of speakers. The Botanic event was hosted by committee member Sharon Millen, while the Kiltonga cermony was led by William Johnston (NIKPA, Renal Arts Group QUB).

We shared moments of reflection, gratitude, and celebration, hearing from transplant recipients, donor families, and advocates whose stories touched every heart in attendance. 🌟

These gardens are more than memorials — they are spaces of peace, gratitude, and hope. They remind us of the importance of organ donation and the need to share our wishes with loved ones.

We look forward to building even stronger connections between organ donation communities across the north and south of Ireland, united by compassion, remembrance, and the celebration of life 💚

🌱 New Life Gardens – A Celebration of the Gift of Life 🌸2025-03-28T18:12:31+00:00

Rogan from 6D heads to liver specialty unit

Our best wishes go to @rogancanning as he prepares for his new role as the RVH fatty liver nurse specialist from Monday. His colleagues in Ward 6D laid on a sweet treat for him to mark his change of responsibilities.

Rogan from 6D heads to liver specialty unit2025-03-06T21:02:15+00:00

Pot Bar Dart Team raises £1735 to help liver patients

Pictured is Chrissy Harbinson (left) who organised the recent darts competition and raised the fantastic amount of £1735 for the RVH Liver Support Group. Pictured (centre) is committee member Ashley Collins accepting the cheque along with Martina Woods (right) who sadly lost her husband Rory.

Pot Bar Dart Team raises £1735 to help liver patients2025-03-06T21:00:21+00:00

First Coffee Morning of 2025

Our first coffee morning of 2025 took place in the Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown on January 22nd.  On this occasion it was hosted by Kay and Ashley and was, as is the norm now, well attended. Right now we have provisional dates for many more coffee mornings and we will publish these dates, when fully confirmed, at a  later date.

The coffee morning project, which we started in 2024, has become a real success story and they are viewed as a real benefit to all liver patients. As said, we intend to build upon this success in 2025.

First Coffee Morning of 20252025-01-28T04:46:25+00:00

First dedicated regional hepatology clinic in Altnagelvin Hospital

Group Chairman Jim Kilpatrick was delighted to join with Dr Neil McDougall and Dr Becca O’Kane at the first dedicated regional hepatology clinic in Altnagelvin Hospital today. We wish Becca well as she settles into her new role covering Hepatology and Gastroenterology services in the North West.

It was lovely meeting up with some of the local patients who we normally would only chat to and support when they come to the Royal in Belfast

First dedicated regional hepatology clinic in Altnagelvin Hospital2025-01-06T21:14:44+00:00

Christmas Cheer comes to Ward 6D

A few days ago Jim and Arthur from the RVH Liver Support Group delivered some cheer to all of the patients in ward 6D with the help of Sister Carol Harper.  Every year the charity, who help and support liver patients throughout N Ireland, visits the regional liver unit and gives a little gift bag to each and every patient who has to remain in hospital over Christmas.   “Its something that we love doing every Christmastime” says Arthur!

Christmas Cheer comes to Ward 6D2024-12-23T15:20:23+00:00

🎄🧑‍🎄A beautiful act of kindness from one of our patients 🧑‍🎄🎄

Carol was given the gift on New Year’s Eve  2023 and is so appreciative of that day. We had a coffee with her  and her family in the summer time and we mentioned that we give out Christmas gifts to all of the patients who have to remain in the liver unit over the Christmas period. She said ” let me think about something I can do to help”. Well, what a great idea and gift that Carol came up with . She bought Terrys chocolate oranges and knitted, yes knitted a little cover in the colours and shape of a Christmas pudding; a brown woollen bottom and a white top. She then finished this off by wrapping in Christmas paper and a red bow. You can see the finished result in the pictures opposite.

As said, we provide all of the patients in the ward a Christmas gift pack filled with goodies and if you have any ideas of what we could supply and would like to contribute that something special we would love to hear from you!!. Please email us at rvhlsg@gmail.com and put “Christmas gift idea” in the subject header line.

🎄🧑‍🎄A beautiful act of kindness from one of our patients 🧑‍🎄🎄2025-04-08T11:32:00+01:00
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