Donal’s Den Officially Opened At Palliative Care Unit

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At the opening of Donal’s Den at the Palliative Care Unit on Thursday last were, seated; Joe Hennebery, Fionnbar and Elma Walsh and Maura Sullivan. Back from left; John Sheehy, Dr Des McMahon, Emer Hallissey, Dr Patricia Sheahan, Mari O’Connell, McAtamney, Aine Moriarty, Maura Sullivan, Andrea O’Donoghue, and Joan Carmody.

A ROOM where teenagers can go to relax and take some time to themselves was officially  opened last Thursday at the Palliative Care In-patient Unit at University Hospital Kerry.

While the Unit opened in September of 2017, the staff decided to invite Elma and Fionnbar Walsh to the opening of ‘Donal’s Den’, named after their son who passed away in 2013 and who proved such an inspiration to others in his battle against cancer and his LiveLife message.

“It’s a great benefit to young people, as we hear all the time from people,” said Elma Walsh. “It’s usually the children or grandchildren of patients here, who can come and relax. That’s what Donal wanted as there were no facilities for teenagers when he was at the Unit.”

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Mari O’Connell, Director of Nursing at the Unit, said there was an art exhibition fundraiser some years ago before Donal passed away and the hospital bought a piece with Donal’s words; “I’ve climbed God’s mountain, faced many struggles. The only difference is that I’m looking from the mountain.”

The piece now takes pride of place in the room.

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Mari said the room has been a great comfort to the patients and it has been well utilised since it opened. The room has comfortable seating and games consoles — bought by O’Flynn’s Medical and through fundraising efforts by Andrea O’Donoghue — to entertain those who use the room.

Meanwhile, the Donal Walsh Foundation is organising a climb of Mount Brandon on Sunday, September 29. For more, check out the facebook page here

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