TV PRESENTER Graham Norton cut the ribbon for a new cancer care suite at Bantry General Hospital yesterday – the culmination of a major community campaign to provide hospice care locally.
A 12 cent donation from a child’s piggy bank was perhaps the smallest donation received, although every penny counted for the collective community effort that raised €270,000.
Norton, originally from Bandon in Co Cork, owns a holiday home a few miles outside Bantry.
He praised the efforts of all involved, singling out Brigitte Wagner Halswick for her dedication and hard work.
“She gave so generously, not just financially, but of her time and energy also,” Norton said.
Describing it as a “profound privilege” to declare the unit open, he said the unit, designed to make people feel better, had already achieved its aim.
“The fact that as a community you have shown such drive, determination and enormous generosity of heart and pocket, makes us all feel so much better,” he said.
The unit is an apartment-style suite containing two palliative care beds for the care of local cancer patients who would otherwise have to travel to Marymount Hospice in Cork.
The death in the community of Conor Morrissey (28) prompted the drive. Conor “lit up the room”, said chairman of the hospice committee Damian Moloney.
“His fights with cancer were borne with courage, dignity, bravery and good humour – all the hallmarks of Conor’s personality. That sad day [of his death] brought a group of people together and a simple idea grew,” he said.
Initially, a sponsored walk from Durrus to Bantry raised €36,000 – which was donated to Marymount Hospice. That success prompted organisers to continue their efforts with a view to providing a local facility.
Speaking yesterday, Mr Moloney thanked Marymount Hospice and Bantry management for their contribution and singled out Bantry hospital’s maintenance manager, Pat Cronin, for his drive. Events ranging from sponsored swims to ballroom dancing, golf classics, cocktail parties and a calendar have all helped bring the new palliative care suite into being.
Breda Cronin, matron at the hospital, paid tribute to Bantry Hospice Group. “Those who require end-of-life-care are now able to avail of this care in these very comfortable and fully equipped rooms that are private and provide a peaceful environment for patients and their families,” she said.