The Irish Heart Foundation would like to share some upcoming news and events with you.
Health Check Programme
The Irish Heart Foundation’s health check programme has been supported by a grant from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The grant allows for the Foundation to bring free health checks to three agricultural shows this year, including the AXA National Dairy Show in Co. Cork.
The AXA National Dairy Show is set to return for its 42nd edition this weekend, taking place today and tomorrow, 11th and 12th October. And, last month, the Mobile Health Unit was attended by almost 600 individuals for heart health checks at the National Ploughing Championships.
Meanwhile, Rachel Kenna, Chief Nursing Officer at the Department of Health and Co-Chair of the Women’s Health Task Force had a heart health check in our Mobile Health Unit while visiting Rialto, Dublin 8. Rachel also recorded a video message during her visit, highlighting the significance of raising awareness about women’s heart health.
Happy Hearts Raffle - 15th October – 4th December
The Irish Heart Foundation is launching its new online raffle campaign next Tuesday, 15th October 2024. The raffle campaign will run until Wednesday, 4th December and the draw will take place on Thursday, 5th December.
Those who enter the raffle will have the chance to win cash prizes, with a total prize fund of €4,500. The first prize is €3,000, followed by a second prize of €1,000 and a third prize of €500. Most importantly, every raffle ticket purchased will help save and transform the lives of those living with heart disease and stroke. That is why, whether you win a cash prize or not, every ticket is a winner!
Please spread the word and help us to fight for every heartbeat. Stay tuned, check out irishheart.ie, and the Irish Heart Foundation social media channels for further updates.
Patient Support Services Talks in October
The Irish Heart Foundation Patient Support Services team will roll out a series of invaluable events and courses, tailored for those affected by heart disease and stroke. During the weeks ahead, events and courses will run both online and in person, and will cover a range of insightful topics, including active living and coping with heart conditions.
Ahead of World Menopause Day, (next Friday, 18th October), Dr Nicola Cochrane, GP and Menopause Specialist, will host an online talk on Wednesday, 16th October from 12.00pm – 1.00pm. Dr Cochrane’s talk will focus on updates and advice for women living with cardiovascular disease during menopause. To register / attend for free online, CLICK HERE
In conjunction with World Stroke Day 2024, (Tuesday, 29th October), the following online talks will take place:
Dublin City Marathon – Sunday, 27th October
The Dublin City Marathon is fast approaching! Those taking part will hit the city streets on Sunday, 27th October and will run 42.2km to raise vital funds for the Irish Heart Foundation. If you are free on the day, please come along and show your enthusiasm and support. For more information on the marathon, visit irishlifedublinmarathon.ie
Halloween – 31st October
The are lots of heart healthy activities to take part in over Halloween. Try some spooky home cooking like vampire porridge, monster burgers or spiderweb bolognese. Find the recipes HERE.
Or add some fun by doing some movements from the Bizzy Break’s Halloween Dance Dice HERE.
Heart Heroes Abseil Challenge – Saturday, 2nd November
The 2024 Heart Heroes Abseil Challenge will take place on Saturday, 2nd November at the Generator Skyview Tower in Smithfield Square, Dublin 7. If you would like to take part in the challenge, while raising much needed funds for the Irish Heart Foundation, there are some limited spaces available! To register today, contact Jamie Conway by phone: 087 171 7546 or by email: jconway@irishheart.ie
Alternatively, come along on the day to cheer our heart heroes on, as they bravely abseil 190 feet down to Smithfield Square.
Irish Heart Foundation Stroke Study Day – Friday, 15th November
The Irish Heart Foundation, in conjunction with the Council of Stroke, will hold a national stroke conference for medical professionals in Croke Park on Friday, 15th November.
The conference will include presentations and discussions by both national and international experts on thrombectomy, nutrition, life after stroke, behaviour change, stroke in children among others. This is a unique opportunity for learning and discussing new developments in stroke as well as presenting abstracts.
For further details, CLICK HERE
Patient Champions Programme – Monday 25th – 29th November
Throughout the week, the Patient Champions Programme will be promoted, showcasing the training, opportunities, and success achieved to date.
The Patient Champions Programme has proven to be an impactful initiative for both patients and the organisation throughout 2024. Key achievements include appearances before Oireachtas Committees on cardiovascular health and disability, securing media coverage, and the largest gathering of TDs at a political pledge-signing event, which supported the organisation’s call for Government funding for patient support services.
This collaborative advocacy effort also successfully secured €600,000 in Government funding for patient support services in the recent budget.
For more information about the programme, CLICK HERE
Climate and Health Alliance Conference – Tuesday, 26th November
The Climate and Health Alliance (CHA), of which the Irish Heart Foundation is a founding member, will hold a joint conference with the HSE on Tuesday, 26th November, at the RCSI, titled Ireland’s Journey to Sustainable and Resilient Healthcare in a Warming World.
The panel on the day will include former president Mary Robinson and presenter Ella McSweeney and will seek to raise awareness of the work of the CHA and HSE, such as the Joint Declaration on Planetary and Human Health. For further details, please contact Mark Murphy at info@climateandhealthalliance.ie
12 Dips in December
This December, the Irish Heart Foundation is inviting individuals, groups of friends, and colleagues to brave the cold and take part in the 12 Dips in December Challenge.
Experience the thrill of winter swimming this year and enjoy 12 days of refreshing dips throughout the month, while raising awareness and vital funds for those affected by heart disease and stroke. Dive in and make a splash, be it in your local swimming pool, lake, sea, or even in an ice bucket! Registration opens in November. For more information, visit irishheart.ie
Rhythm of Recovery Choir – 6th and 19th December
The Irish Heart Foundation Rhythm of Recovery Choir will be spreading some festive cheer this winter, and will sing some much-loved Christmas carols at the following locations:
Please drop by, sing along and show your support! Exact timings TBC. Visit irishheart.ie for further details over the coming weeks.
NOCA Irish Heart Attack Audit – Tuesday, 10th December
The 2024 Irish Heart Attack Audit is due for release on Tuesday, 10th December.
Following last year’s audit, the Irish Heart Foundation and the Audit Committee, including patient representatives on same, called for funding for a public heart attack awareness campaign. The Irish Heart Foundation Advocacy department will be releasing a press release outlining their take on this year’s audit findings.
Healthy Habits Challenge
Companies across Ireland will be taking part in the Irish Heart Foundation’s Healthy Habits Challenge, walking 10,000 steps each day over one month.
As well as prioritising their employees heart health, they will be raising vital funds for the Irish Heart Foundation.
You can find out more HERE or by contacting a member of our corporate team – Anne ariordan@irishheart.ie or Cliodhna coriordan@irishheart.ie
