National award for Galway stroke services pioneer

The Galway nurse whose dedication and campaigning led to the establishment of the county’s first stroke unit was honoured for her efforts at a special ceremony in Dublin this week.

Anna Mai Maloney, originally from Bonniconlon in Mayo, was one of twelve winners at the Irish Heart Foundation’s Life After Stroke Awards in Dublin. The 60 year old worked as a nurse at the frontline of healthcare services for many years and her dedication to her patients was the key instigation in the set up of Galway’s first stroke unit in 2006.

Anna’s tireless support and advocacy on behalf of stroke patients identified opportunities to adapt other facilities to benefit people who have suffered a stroke, right up until the day she retired.

For her outstanding commitment and tenacity on behalf of stroke patients in Galway, Anna Mai Maloney received the Boehringer Ingelheim Stroke Champion Award.

Dr Colin Edwards from Boehringer Ingelheim described Anna Mai as ‘an unstoppable force in the fight for services for stroke patients’

“According to her colleagues, she is an inspiration to all who meet her. Anna Mai has long championed the cause of stroke patients in Galway to ensure they received the best care and the resulting stroke unit in Galway is an incredible testament to all her hard work,” he said.

The awards were presented at the heart-warming event hosted by broadcaster Marty Whelan with support from Fair City star Jim Bartley.

Eleven of the recipients were under the age of 65 years, a mix of both male and female, with the youngest inspirational stroke survivor aged just six years old. Barry Dempsey, Chief Executive of the Irish Heart Foundation explained that there are tens of thousands of stroke survivors in Ireland today but many of their stories are unknown.

“A stroke can happen to anyone at any age and our annual Life After Stroke Awards provides a unique opportunity to share incredible stories of unsung stroke heroes living in every corner of Ireland,” he said.

“Every day small miracles happen and our twelve award winners represent the heroic efforts of all stroke survivors, families and carers nationwide who are dealing with this illness. I hope their stories will inspire everyone to believe what I believe, that there really is Life After Stroke.”