Sponsored By
CHARITIES SUPPORTED
3 Charities have been selected for support in 2010:
1)Cancer Care Programs at 'The Mercy University Hospital' Foundation, Grenville Place, Cork
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The StephenRoche Tour De Cure Team worked with the foundation after the 2009 event and allocated funds to purchase equipment used during operations with patients suffering with Prostrate Cancer at the hospital. This Mercy Hospital Foundation established in 2007 is the official fundraising body of The Mercy University Hospital, Cork.
Approximately 2,422 men develop prostate cancer each year in Ireland. This figure is similar to the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Ireland. Prostate Cancer is responsible for 500 deaths annually or 11% of all cancer deaths amongst men.
The Mercy University Hospital, Cork specialises in the management of Prostate Cancer and Urological Cancers. Through the establishment of 'The Men's Health and Prostate Cancer Fund' they are committed to raising over €100,000 annually. These funds are then used to provide 100% of the finances required to provide this clinic.
Monies raised will be used to support the significant re-development of their CT Scanning and Interventional Radiology facilities in the Hospital. They estimate that the Foundation will need to raise €300,000-400,000 to ensure that this project is possible. Improved CT scanning facilities will help to monitor the treatment regimes for cancer patients, support the introduction of a cardiac and coronary artery scanning service to identify the potential for serious coronary diseases such as stroke, reduce the levels of radiation dose to patients which is particularly important when carrying out scans on the very young and the elderly to allow for more detailed pre-operative planning and allow for state of the art CT angiography to take place.
2)The 'COPE Foundation' fulfilling the Potential of Persons with Intellectual Disablity across Cork.
COPE Foundation provides a comprehensive range of services for 1600 children and adults with an intellectual disability through its system of early intervention, schooling, training, adult day services, supported employment, housing, information and advice, at over 60 locations throughout Cork City and County.
Over the years, a large range of services, facilities and expertise has been developed by COPE Foundation to provide the comprehensive services that are available today. National and International contacts have played a vital role in this, through the exchange of knowledge,expertise, ideas, methods and experience.
Much has been accomplished through the years, nevertheless, the Foundation is determined to ensure that further progress is made during the years ahead to meet the unmet and changing needs of persons with intellectual disability in our care, and that all clients receive the level of support and service to which they are entitled. COPE Foundation endeavours to ensure that the quality of service being offered to its client population remains at the optimum standard, compatible with the resources available. This involves striving to ensure that the services available are operating to the best of recognised quality standards.
COPE Foundation provides services to persons with intellectual disability throughout Cork City and County (Catchment Area). The population of this area is around 450,000 and the area measures about 150km East to West and 80km North to South
The Tour De Cure Team wish to help COPE keep up their brilliant work within society in Cork in 2010.
Monies raised this year will go towards the self financing cost (1.8million euro) that Cope are incurring of building 3 new single storey houses and a large day centre unit in Mayfield, Cork, which will provide respite for children with various degrees of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder.
3)The 'Irish Anaphylaxis' Association fights for those with potential food alergies.
Anaphylaxis is the medical term given to a severe allergic reaction which affects the whole body. In its most extreme form, this reaction results in a person going into "anaphylactic shock" which can be fatal. There is a growing list of everyday items which can give rise to anaphylactic shock for some people, including food, insect stings and drugs.
The life threatening nature of this type of severe allergy makes it a very serious condition for those at risk to live with. However the good news is that an anaphylactic reaction can be reversed through an injection of a medicine called "adrenaline" if applied fast enough. Therefore through a combination of proper diagnosis of those at risk, careful avoidance of the particular cause of the allergy and the constant availability of emergency medication, people at risk can lead a normal life.
The most common cause of severe allergic reactions is food. The Irish Anaphylaxis Campaign was set up to raise awareness of this condition and to provide support to those at risk to potentially fatal food allergies.
Monies raised will be used to fund their campaign in getting the information out to schools and to the national media about this life threatening allergy that many may not know they have to be aware of. In addition, they wish to campaign to the products manufacturers for better labelling on the packages.
