Hospital thanks former Mayo GAA star and friends for donation of €55,000

MAYO University Hospital (MUH) has expressed delight at receiving a donation of €55,000 which was fundraised by Dermot Flanagan, team mates and friends for cancer services in the hospital.

Former Mayo football captain and GAA All-Star Dermot was motivated to undertake the fundraiser after undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) a number of years ago.

The fundraising event took place over eight days in August 2021, when Dermot cycled to every GAA club in Mayo, starting at his home club in Ballaghaderreen and finishing in Louisburgh.

Speaking about the cycle, Dermot said: “I received such a warm welcome in every club I visited and was overwhelmed with the engagement and support from the Mayo public.

“I want to thank every person who donated and sent messages of support. The amount raised far exceeded my expectations and is a testament to the generosity and community spirit of the people of Mayo.

“This fundraiser is very close to my heart because I know first-hand how life changing it is to receive a cancer diagnosis. Thankfully, my cancer was caught early, was treatable and I am in full remission since 2018.

“It is my hope now that this donation will play a small role in supporting the hospital in the continued delivery of oncology services in Mayo.

Dermot added: “I would like to say a special word of thanks to Connolly Motors, Castlebar, who provided the support vehicles throughout the eight days of the cycle.”

Catherine Donohoe, hospital manager, added: “I am so pleased to accept this donation. On behalf of the hospital and our patients I want to thank Dermot and all those who donated for this incredible gesture which will go towards enhancing cancer care for patients in MUH.”

Prof. Michael Kerin, clinical director, Saolta Cancer MCAN, said: “ I am very grateful to Dermot and his team mates for the wonderful fundraiser and support for the cancer programme in Mayo and the Saolta MCAN network. As Europe’s most westerly cancer network providing care for a region with significant deprivation, we are very conscious of the improvements which will be necessary to deliver world class cancer care for our population.

“This award represents a really great stimulus for the cancer programme in Mayo.”