A Christmas Note from our CEO

What a year 2020 has been. Little did we know at the start of the year when the word Coronavirus first entered our lives, that we would be still facing so much uncertainty as we approached 2021.

There is no doubt that for many of us this will be a very different Christmas. Many of us will be missing loved ones around the table, restricted in who we can see and what we can do. But it is still time for celebration and for connecting with our loved ones – whether online, over the phone or through the post – so it’s really important that we all put in that extra bit of effort to show people we care. We can only hope that the sacrifice we make this year will stand to us in 2021 and beyond.

The last few months has been a real challenge for everyone and I continue to be blown away by the spirit of hope and resilience shown by our MND community for whom complacency is not a luxury they can afford.  Supporting our families through this most difficult year has been our number one priority and I have never been more proud of our wonderful nurses and our dedicated staff and Board of Directors. Each and every one of them has given it their all and adapted to new ways of working to ensure seamless continuity of care.

Despite the challenges that unfolded throughout the year we were still able to continue to provide much-needed medical equipment into homes, fund extra homecare hours and provide funding for research, as well as counselling grants.  In March, our MND outreach nurses joined forces with the doctors and nurses providing the national MND service in Beaumont Hospital, Galway Hospital and Cork University Hospital to provide home visits and online support throughout the country.  This proved to be a very successful model of care which thankfully safeguarded our vulnerable community.

I would like to extend a special thank you to our wonderful loyal supporters, fundraisers and corporate partners without whom none of the above would have been possible.  Their remarkable efforts, encouragement and endorsement enabled us to steer through one of the toughest years our country has ever faced and we are beyond grateful for their unwavering support. Everyone who contributes to our work allows us to shine and is there on the frontline with us every step of the way.

Once again, thank you to everyone who has gone above and beyond for the Association this year, it really means the world to us.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.

Roisin Duffy

Chief Executive