Haulbowline To Host Heart Fundraiser
Local lady and heart transplant recipient Sarah Jordan is organising a fundraising night of celebration and entertainment in the Irish Naval Base on Haulbowline Island on 4th March. The Irish Naval Base in Haulbowline, will be opening its doors for a fundraising event to support the Mater Heart & Lung Appeal at the Mater Foundation. This is a cause close to Sarah Jordan’s heart, as she received a heart transplant in the Mater in 2012. This journey began in January 2011 when the 24 year old Sarah began to feel unwell. A fit and active young woman, her sudden breathlessness was puzzling. When antibiotics did not work, she was referred to the A&E in Cork University Hospital. Here, tests revealed that she was suffering from heart failure caused by a mysterious virus. After her referral to the Mater, Jordan was put on the transplant list for a new heart. After 10 weeks, a match was available. Soon, Sarah was able to enjoy a new lease of life with her healthy heart. Since her operation Sarah and her family have been fundraising for the Heart and Lung Unit at the Mater Hospital. She has raised over €26,000.00 for the cause and is showing no signs of slowing down. Sarah’s fundraising efforts over the years have gone directly to the Heart and Lung Transplantation Unit, helping to purchase vital equipment and support education and training for staff. For example, in 2016, five nurses attended a cardiothoracic conference in Manchester to improve their knowledge on patient care practices, which they can bring right back to the Mater Hospital. This year in recognition of the journey Sarah began 5 years ago, a night of music and dancing in a special location was organised. The ‘Have a Heart’ Night at Haulbowline will take place on Saturday 4th March 2017 at 7.30pm, and will include a wine reception, raffle and refreshments. Entertainment will be provided by Special Guests; Cork Band Ocean 6, Jim Carroll and the Connolly Collective. Tickets are available to purchase before the event from Walsh’s Pharmacy, Main Street, Carrigaline, for €15.00 which includes a door ticket raffle and all are welcome to come along. Funds raised from this event will go towards funding a new much-needed family room in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) in the Mater Hospital under the Heart & Lung Appeal of the Mater Foundation. This family room will offer a place of sanctuary, which affords families the privacy, comfort and dignity at a very difficult time in their lives, as they spend hours with their relatives who could be dying or seriously ill. Funds raised from this event will continue to help the Mater Foundation support the programme, which cares for patients throughout the country suffering from debilitating and life threatening conditions.