Paying tribute to our supporters

At Galway Hospice we are very fortunate to have fantastic supporters. We want to take an opportunity to pay tribute to Theresa Melia who has been a trojan force in support of the hospice for many years.

Theresa was working in Boston Scientific 25 years ago when she and some workmates signed up to do the Mini-Marathon in Dublin. They decided they would raise a few pounds for charity but it was only after the marathon that they discussed what charity they should donate the funds to.

Theresa was living in Renmore at the time and the hospice building wasn’t yet open but there was a big totaliser outside showing how much was needed to complete it. Theresa and her colleagues decided that was where the funds should go.

Theresa called into the hospice on a Friday afternoon. She knew very little about hospice care at the time but she had heard that it was for cancer patients. The hospice was nearly ready to open but there were no patients there yet.

She was given a tour of the new facility and what she saw had a profound affect on her. When she left that afternoon Theresa vowed that she would raise money for Galway Hospice as long as she lived.

On her visit to the hospice, Theresa learned about the Weekly Draw and that set her on a mission to recruit Draw members through Boston Scientific. Through great persistence she got Draw membership set up through payroll at Boston Scientific – it was a huge win for the hospice and one we continue to benefit from today.

In 1998 Theresa moved jobs to what is now Medtronic in Mervue. She got the Weekly Draw set up through the payroll there too. Since 2010, Galway Hospice has been selected by the staff at Medtronic as one of the chosen charities that they fundraise for. They’ve held all kinds of events to raise funds over the years including an annual bake sale with a bake-off competition, table quizzes, an intercompany five-a-side soccer tournament, walks and a sale of works event. They hold a Coffee Morning every year for Galway Hospice too.

Both of Theresa’s parents died far too young from life limiting illnesses before the hospice brought palliative care to Galway. Theresa has no first-hand experience of Galway Hospice’s services herself but she has heard from others about the compassion and care that patients receive there.

While she has the strength and the health to do it, Theresa will continue to support Galway Hospice because she feels that the work of the hospice is amazing. She wishes that the hospice had been there when her parents were alive but she is very glad that others are benefitting from such wonderful care.