Transplant Co-ordinators
Here are two useful numbers for our Transplant Co-ordinators.
Anderson Family Fundraiser
We are very grateful to the Anderson family from Magherafelt for raising such a fantastic sum for our group. We are very appreciative of all the kind people who fundraise on our behalf.
Sr Moffett’s Retirement
The RVH Liver Support Group were represented by Kay and Gordon at the recent function to mark the retirement of Sr Sharon Moffett. Sharon has had a long association with our Group.
Cheque Presentations
We are so grateful to the many people who raise money for our Group. This money is very wisely used for the benefit of our liver patients. These two presentations took place at the Outpatients’ Clinic on Friday 13th October.
Harold Medlow presents a cheque to Founder, Kay Duffy. Also in the photo are his wife Violet and their son Keith.
Oisin McGinty and his mother present a cheque to Kay Duffy and Seamus Cunningham
Education Fund
Cheque presentation
Seamus Cunningham (Vice-Chair) and Kay Duffy (Founder) presenting a cheque for the Education Fund to the consultants (Dr McDougall, Dr Cash; Dr McCorry).
The RVH Liver Support Group committed £25,000 this year towards the purchase of hospital equipment for use in outpatients and the liver ward (6D) in RVH for the benefit of liver patients. This includes a £5,000 contribution towards an Education Fund which allows some members of the nursing and medical team to travel to Kings College Hospital in London to receive specialist training.
Opening of Relatives’ Room
We reached another landmark for the RVH Liver Support Group on 15 September 2017 when Kat Duffy officially opened the new Relatives’ Room in what was known as the Glasshouse in 6D. We part funded this project and are very proud to be associated with it. This is our next project to help those with liver disease and their carers since the provision of the very successful Helpdesk and information monitors.
A few photos from the official opening
Kay receives a bouquet of flowers from Angela Costello, with Sharon Moffett.
Kay Duffy cuts the ribbon at the official opening as Dr McDougall, Sr Sharon Moffett and Angela Costello look on.
The official opening party are joined by Donald Cairnduff and Fred McDermott (Transplant Co-ordinator)
Recent cheque presentations
Here are two recent cheque presentations made to the Group by our supporters.
Kay Duffy receives a cheque from Drew Holmes on behalf of the Group.
Paul Kearney makes his presentation to Kay Duffy, founder of RVH Liver Support Group
WHO CARES FOR THE CARERS?
40 members and friends of the Group braved Storm Doris on the evening of Thursday 23rd February for the second members’ meeting of the year.
Guest speakers, l-r, Kay Duffy; Lyn Campbell
September’s meeting on the theme ‘Who Cares?’ had looked at the experiences of those who care for family members with liver conditions.
The February meeting developed this theme by looking at help that is available for the carers themselves on their often lonely and stressful journey.
Lyn Campbell of Carers NI explained what was involved in undergoing carers assessments and outlined some sources of financial support, as well as programmes to allow carers some time away for themselves.
Kay Duffy, founder of the RVH Liver Support Group, spoke of her experiences over 18 years of providing practical advice and emotional support for carers, particularly those travelling with patients to London for assessment or transplant surgery.
Both presentations were well received by the audience. Several spoke warmly of how Kay and other committee members involved with patient care had helped them through difficult times.
The key message from both speakers was the need for self-protection: you’ll not look after a loved one if you don’t look after yourself.
Cheque Presentation From Ballymoney Soroptomists
Presentation from left Donald Cairnduff, Cherril Blair and Beth Lindsay (Ballymoney Soroptomists), and Kay Duffy
Beth Lindsay, President of the Ballymoney and District Soroptimists International and Cherril Blair, a longstanding member of the Soroptimists who received a liver transplant in 2014, presented a cheque for £1,000 towards the work of the RVH Liver Support Group to Kay Duffy (Founder) and Donald Cairnduff (chair) on Friday 20th January.
The money was raised at a concert held on 24th October last year.
This is a terrific contribution to our work and is very gratefully received. Our thanks go to everyone involved – and not just for the donation, but also for all that the Soroptimists do to publicise the RVH Liver Support Group in the Ballymoney area and for their consistent and passionate efforts to raise awareness of the life-enhancing benefits of organ donation.
We wish them every success in the future.
Norman Keenan fundraiser
Brenda Keenan presents the cheque to Gordon Cave, President of the group
Gordon Cave recently received a cheque plus donations totalling £2,710 for the Liver Support Group from Brenda Keenan, widow of Norman, who suffered from liver disease and sadly passed away earlier this year. Hugo McFadden had put together a band of Bangor Musicians who played in various groups back in the 60’s and Norman was lead singer. For their first public appearance Hugo organised a Charity Event in memory of Norman and to raise money for the Liver Support Group. Many thanks to all those involved.
Gordon and Brenda with Hugo McFadden who organised the event