IRISH rugby icon, Rob Kearney, celebrated the launch of Crumlin’s Big Book of Memories campaign with a special visit to the hospital last week.
The nation has been invited to get behind the initiative and commemorate all the great work the hospital has done since its inception 60 years ago by recording their memories through the virtual memory book at crumlinmemories.ie.
This designated website will enable members of the public to share and read the touching stories which illustrate the hospital’s 60-year existence.
From past patients and their loved ones to hospital workers and donors, anyone with a memory of the hospital can get involved, share their memories and help to shape the hospital’s future by donating online.
Funds raised through this campaign will be used to make urgent renovations to the Outpa-tients Department, which was built in the 1960s to accommodate 500 patients per week.
Today, three times that amount (1,500 children) pass through its doors every week, leading to considerable overcrowding and insufficient resources.
Another area of focus for campaign donations will be the refurbishment of The Nazareth Ward that treats the hospital’s youngest and sickest babies, many of whom have never left the hospital since birth.
A portion of the funds will also cover a range of equipment worth over €2 million which is urgently required by the hospital, including cancer detection equipment, CF detection equipment and cardiac echo machines.
Joe Quinsey, the CEO of CMRF Crumlin, the principal fundraising body for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and the National Children’s Research Centre, said: “Over the years, thousands of little heroes have been a part of the story of our special hospital here in Crumlin.
“CMRF Crumlin has pioneered many breakthrough improvements within the hospital, from the completion of a new Medical Tower in 2005 and a 50 per cent enlargement of the A&E in 2010 which now treats 668 patients a week, to the launch of a new Cancer and Cardiac ward in 2013 and two new radiology suites last year which are essential for diagnosing a wide range of medical conditions.
“With the funds raised from Crumlin’s Big Book of Memories campaign, we are hopeful that we will continue making milestone developments within the hospital and ensure that every child that walks through its doors receives the best treatment in the best environment possible.”