A mother’s gift for CF kids

The first sod on the new outpatient unit for children with cystic fibrosis at Galway University Hospitals was turned this week – by the family whose generosity made the entire project possible.

The new unit will cost approximately €590,000, with €250,000 being funded by the Cystic Fibrosis Association and the balance by the hospital and the HSE.

Marian Keane from Maam, who turned the first sod on the site on Tuesday, lost her 14-years-old daughter Stephanie to CF four years ago – but it was her family’s generosity in donating the proceeds from the sale of a house that was bequeathed to them to Cystic Fibrosis Galway which helped part fund the new unit.

Marian also lost her son Thomas to illness and says her late uncle wanted to do something to remember both children who died.

The new unit will include four examination rooms, a treatment room for procedures and a gym for assessment and physiotherapy and it will be located behind the existing Paediatric Outpatient Department on the grounds of University Hospital Galway.

Bill Maher, CEO, West /North West Hospitals Group said: “This is a very good day for Galway and I’m delighted that we are officially starting this project after months of careful planning between the hospital and Cystic Fibrosis Galway.

“Cystic Fibrosis is Ireland’s most common genetically inherited fatal disease. In Ireland approximately one in 19 carry the CF gene, compared with one in 25 in UK.”

 Mary Lane Heneghan, Chair of Cystic Fibrosis Galway said: “I would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of all the people who helped us raise the funds for our contribution to the project.

“In particular I would like to thank Marian Keane. This is an incredible donation and one that will have a meaningful and long-term impact on the treatment of children with cystic fibrosis. I’m delighted that Marian could join us to officially turn the sod for the new building,” she said.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.