Cork Communities Called to Support Mater Hospital During September's Gratitude Week

The Mater Hospital Foundation is inviting people across Cork to join Gratitude Week this September, honouring healthcare heroes and raising vital funds through community events ranging from cake sales to tractor runs.

The initiative, culminating in World Gratitude Day on Sunday 21st September, aims to celebrate the life-saving work of the Mater Hospital whilst supporting patients and families during their most difficult moments. Every euro raised helps transform care at the Dublin hospital, funding cutting-edge equipment, facility upgrades, family support services and life-changing research.

Cork families know firsthand the impact of the Mater's exceptional care. Barry Browne from Ballygarvan received a single lung transplant at the hospital in 2020 after living with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis for over six years. Four years later, Barry and his community organised the Ballygarvan Tractor Run to express their gratitude, raising an extraordinary €47,500 for the Mater's Transplant Ward.

The fundraising effort demonstrates the powerful connection between Cork communities and the national centre of excellence, where patients from across the county regularly receive specialist treatment.

Angi McNulty, Community Fundraising Specialist with the Mater Hospital Foundation:

"Every day, I am honoured to meet patients and families from all over Ireland in the Mater Hospital who tell me about the exceptional care they have received. This September's Gratitude Week is a powerful way to come together as communities and do something special for patients in our hospital. I'm here to support you every step of the way, so if you have an idea for a fundraiser, or simply want to donate to support the Mater Hospital's life-saving work, I'd love to hear from you. Let's turn appreciation into action, together!"

Communities can participate through various fundraising activities, from organising local events to making online donations. The Foundation provides full support for those planning fundraisers, helping turn creative ideas into successful campaigns.

The Mater Hospital Foundation, established in 1985, serves as the official fundraising body of The Mater Public Hospital. The foundation funds state-of-the-art equipment, enhances hospital facilities, supports pioneering research and clinical trials, and provides grants and funding to specialist staff.

Many of the hospital's ground-breaking medical initiatives have been made possible through vital funding from the Foundation, directly improving lives across Ireland.

Those interested in organising a fundraising event can contact the Foundation at fundraising@materfoundation.ie. Online donations can be made at www.materfoundation.ie/donate, with more information about Gratitude Week available at www.materfoundation.ie/gratitudeweek.

For further information, contact Celine Nic Oireachtaigh, Marketing and Communications Manager, at cnicoireachtaigh@materfoundation.ie or 085 168 6169.