The Emer Casey Foundation has marked World Ovarian Cancer Day 2017 by announcing a €60,000 donation to Gynae Cancer Care at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin. The donation will be used to purchase a laparascopic device which allows surgeons to be more selective in the removal of lymph nodes (through which cancer spreads) from the pelvis.
Speaking at an event in St. James’s Hospital to mark World Ovarian Cancer Day, Dr. Noreen Gleeson, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist at St. James’s Hospital, said “the current standard surgery, removing all the lymph nodes inside the pelvis interferes with the flow of fluid in the lymph circulation from the legs and genitalia. As a result, some women develop very debilitating health problems, like swelling of their legs or genitalia (lymphoedema) or recurring infection and even sepsis. With newer technology, we, as surgeons, are better able to target the ‘correct’ nodes – those most likely to harbour the cancer cells. This results in women healing faster, spending less time in hospital and being less likely to develop long term disability. This donation will go a long way to delivering this vital piece of technology.”
Juliette Casey from the Emer Casey Foundation, attending the event which focussed on quality of life and survivorship, said “we are delighted to be in a position to part-fund this important piece of surgical equipment for the hospital and hope that it can benefit the hundreds of women who attend the clinic each year.”
One of these women, Audrey Tynan, shared her personal story of living with lymphoedema.
St. James’s is the largest provider in the Republic of Ireland of treatment for malignancy of the reproductive organs, including ovarian cancer. Clodagh Memery, Director of Philanthropy at St. James’s Hospital Foundation said “we would like to thank the Emer Casey Foundation for their generous donation. We are actively fundraising to secure the additional €60,000 required to purchase the equipment.” Further information on donating here.
From left to right – Brendan Casey, Juliette Casey Snr and Juliette Casey Jnr, Founders, Emer Casey Foundation; Audrey Tynan, Speaker and Ovarian Cancer Patient, Dr. Noreen Gleeson, Gynaecological Oncologist, St. James’s Hospital; Jean Marc Monseux, Lymphodema Specialist/Physiotherapist, St. James’s Hospital; Lorcan Birdthistle, CEO, St. James’s Hospital.