Cosgrave Fundraiser for Mater Hospital Equipment

A MESSAGE FROM MICHAEL COSGRAVE

 

As you may be aware I was recently diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, which caused a rapid deterioration in my lung function and as a result I underwent a Double lung transplant in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.

 

I received this just in time, with huge thanks to my Donor and their family, and the brilliant medical team in the Mater Hospital.  This shows the importance of organ donation, research and facilities in the Mater.

In conjunction with the medical team in the Mater, we have decided to set up a once off fundraiser. The donations will fund sensory and other equipment to the 7 existing isolation rooms in the heart and lung transplant unit. This will improve the patients well-being and make this very difficult and traumatic period pre- and post-transplant more manageable.

 

We are asking you to consider donating to this fundraiser in lieu of sending Christmas gifts to Cosgraves and our team, who are supportive of this decision. Any donation, no matter how small, would be hugely appreciated.

A NOTE FROM THE MATER HOSPITAL

At present there are a number of patient rooms in the heart and lung transplant directorate without windows therefore only artificial light. Anecdotally, patients report finding these rooms lead to increased psychological distress, and feelings of depression and isolation. Patients report finding it difficult to know what time of day it is and thus develop poor sleep hygiene. Patients generally report that a stay in these rooms has a negative overall impact on their hospital admission. Many patients who are due to be admitted specifically request not to be allocated these rooms due to previous experiences.

We currently have 7 isolation rooms between our 2 Transplant wards and Cardiothoracic High Dependency Unit (CTHDU). There is a ward within the Mater which installed a light source onto the ceiling displaying an outdoor scene. The feedback from patients using that room has been extremely positive.

We would love to be able to create the same or similar effects in our isolation rooms and really feel it would have a positive impact on overall hospital experience.