The old reliables Michael and Geraldine participated again this year for the ninth time on behalf of marfan research. This year they raised €628 bringing the total raised to date to €10,476.

Sr Philomena Purcell participated again this year on behalf of our charity. This was Philomena’s eight year raising €8.631 to date. Philomena raised €1,558 this year included in above amount. Philomena is a loyal fundraiser for marfan research. All at Marfans Research Foundation are extremely grateful to Philomena and the extraordinary generosity of her sponsors.

The annual Table Quiz at The Showboat was enjoyable and successful raising €433 on the night. A big thank to the Showboat and supporters.

The Bag Pack was enjoyable and successful. The loyal bag packers and some new volunteers did a fantastic job. We are really thankful to Super Value Management for the opportunity to raise much needed funds . The courtesy of the staff is outstanding. The biggest thank you goes to the generous customers. Together, we raised the unbelievable amount of €10,080.

This event was organised by Paddy Maguire in aid of three local charities – St Vincent De Paul Society, The Jonah Project and The Marfans Research Foundation. We are very grateful for Paddy’s generosity. Margaret and Jack Maguire regularly bag pack on our behalf when required to do so. Paddy donated €100 for Marfan Syndrome Research from this successful event.

Marfan Syndrome and Cardiac Surgery Information Evening at Kilmacow Community Centre was most interesting and informative. Kieran Mc Grath welcomed Prof Mark Redmond, Dr Darren Mc Laughlin and Dr John Byrne. Kieran spoke about how the Mc Grath family first encountered Prof Redmond. Geraldine Mc Grath’s first open heart surgery was unsuccessful and as the late Mr Maurice Nelligan was retiring, he handed her medical notes over to Prof Redmond. Mr Nelligan strongly endorsed Prof Redmond. Prof Redmond performed successful surgery on Geraldine and subsequently three of Geraldine and Michael’s sons. Prof Redmond gave an update on Marfan research in Ireland and how the funds raised are spent. He graciously acknowledged the generosity of people in the south Kilkenny and Waterford area. Prof Redmond spoke in some detail about marfan surgery. He then went onto speak about Bicuspid Valve Disease which is a serious medical condition which he encounters more and more. This requires open heart surgery too.

Dr Darren McLauglin spoke about the current marfan research on mice in Ireland. He spoke about the importance of beta-blockers in controlling blood pressure in marfan patients. Dr John Byrne spoke about his part in marfan research and outlined how they presented a marfan research paper at the Marfan Conference in America which was subsequently published. This is a huge achievement for such a small country as Ireland.

There was a lively question and answer session which was most interesting. This was a unique opportunity with three specialists present, to impart valuable advice. Kieran Mc Grath acknowledged the generous support Marfan Research receives from the local community. He stated the main annual fundraisers were The Pony and Trap Drive organised by Billy Meaney and Mary Corcoran and The Christmas Bag Pack at Super Value, Morgan St, Waterford. Kieran also welcomed Dr John Enright, Mullinavat and Suzanne Redmond. He stated the total amount raised for marfan research to date was €213,350 Prof Redmond was presented with a cheque for €30,000 on the night. It was a successful and enjoyable evening and ended with a cuppa and a chat.

Ursula Corcoran participated on our behalf and raised €425. The Corcoran family from Dungarvan are huge supporters of Marfans Research Foundation.

Bianconi Drive, Clonmel to Grannagh Castle: This year’s drive was a wonderful success despite the cold, wind and a few showers. Billy Meany, Ballinerla, Kilmacow, led his team of ponies and traps accompanied by Mary Corcoran. The drive left Clonmel at 12noon, going through Kilsheelan, Ballydine, Carrick-on-Suir, Piltown, Mooncoin and onto Grannagh Castle. The Trap Drivers and their passengers were dressed in period costume. There was a pitt stop at Anthony’s Inn, Piltown, Mooncoin and onto Grannagh Castle. This was the seventh Annual Pony and Trap Drive raising a total of €43,217 including this years event, which raised €4910. Marfan Syndrome Research appreciates Billy Meany’s generosity in organising another wonderful Drive. There is enormous skill and careful planning in organising such an event. Billy has seen at first, the fruits of Marfan Research through the successful major open heart surgeries performed by Professor Mark Redmond on four members of his neighbour’s family – The McGraths. Sincere thanks to everyone.

Fiona choose our Charity for her generous donation of €50 from gifts received, following the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is an enormous act of the generosity. Fiona is a fine young girl. She lives in Kilmacow, County Kilkenny. She is a good friend of the Mc Grath family and saw first hand the fruits of marfan research through the successful open heart surgeries of four members of that family. We wish Fiona the best of luck starting secondary school next September. Sincere thanks, Fiona.

Geraldine and Michael Mc Grath participated again this year on behalf or our Charity, for the eighth time.

This year they raised a total of €271, bringing the total raised to date as €9,848. Sincere thanks all our loyal sponsors.