News briefs.
DEATH OF NOBLE: One valued source of support, comfort and inspiration drew to a close last week with the death of Ivan Noble. The BBC science and technology journalist's online diary about his brain tumour treatment reached thousands around the world who, in turn, offered him their encouragement. Cancer researchers hailed Noble's efforts. "I have not been defeated," Noble said in his final entry. His online diary can be read at http://news.bbc.co.uk
DONOR WEEK: The annual Organ Donor Awareness Week campaign takes place from April 2nd to 9th. This life-saving campaign is organised by the Irish Kidney Association, the organisation charged with the promotion and distribution of the organ donor card.
The focus of the campaign is to raise awareness about the ongoing and ever increasing demand for organ donation for transplantation and to seek support from the public to make an informed decision to carry an organ donor card.
Forget me Not flowers (the symbol of transplantation) and donor key rings will be on sale nationwide during the week for €2 each. Small metal Forget me Not flower brooches for €3 will also be available. Proceeds raised will go towards the Irish Kidney Association's support programme as well as the Irish Donor Network's education programme.
Information and organ donor cards are available in pharmacies, medical centres and Citizen Information Offices around the country. Organ Donor Cards can also be obtained from the Irish Kidney Association. Tel: Lo-call 1890 456556.
FUNDRAISING PERFORMANCE: Mary Coughlan has donated the entire proceeds of her performance at The Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co Wicklow last week to Shadowbox Theatre Company's programme for actors with intellectual disabilities.
Mary Coughlan, the acclaimed jazz and blues singer, wanted to show her appreciation for the work of Shadowbox Theatre Company.
The company has been in operation for the past six years, working with adults with intellectual disability and older people in the community and in residential care. The company works through the medium of performance theatre and a programme it calls "Recall and Imagine".
The RTÉ programme, Would You Believe, about the company prompted her to get involved. She has also attended some of the performances of the company.
Shadowbox spokeswoman Frieda Hand said: "We are delighted that Marv has taken such an interest in our company and value her time and support and would like to take this opportunity to thank her from the company. Without the support of community people like Mary, companies like ourselves would cease to exist."
DAYAN QIGONG CLASSES: Dayan Qigong is a system of beautiful and salubrious exercises, handed down through the ages among the exclusive circles of the Taoist Kunlun Mountains in west China. Dayan Qigong means "wild goose energy exercise" (the wild goose is a Chinese symbol for longevity).
Integrating the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and internal training, the exercise combines both gentle and vigorous movements, alternating with stillness. It is enjoyable and suits all ages as it helps to strengthen the immune system, improves blood Qi circulation and benefits a wide variety of health problems.
Liam Murray has been teaching Qigong since 1990, having studied with various Chinese Qigong masters in Europe, China and Hong Kong. Programmes for beginners are starting in Dublin city centre and DúLaoghaire town centre tomorrow and on Wednesday, February 23rd. For more information, contact Liam Murray at 01-2847398