Today at SVUH, we had the privilege of welcoming Mrs. Pat Oakes and her daughter, Julie Carr, who presented a generous cheque for €2,000 to our dedicated ICU team on behalf of Kevin Carr. This heartfelt donation was Kevin’s idea, made in deep gratitude for the care his beloved grandfather, Des Oakes, received during his time with us.
Des was under our care in the ICU for just under 24 hours before he sadly passed away on Christmas Eve. Pat and Julie shared touching memories of Des, describing him as a sociable and avid sports fan who followed his passions with great enthusiasm. His kindness, modesty, gentle nature and remarkable sense of humour—qualities that saved his life on more than one occasion—truly shone through.
Des was a man of decency who didn’t suffer fools and was deeply devoted to his family. A bridge and tennis player, he remained active in these pursuits well into his 80s, despite facing significant health challenges for over 40 years, including battles with colorectal cancer, heart bypass surgery and dementia. Yet, Des always looked forward, maintaining an unwavering belief that things would get better.
We are immensely touched by the efforts of Kevin, who ran the Edinburgh Marathon on May 26th last year to raise funds for ICU units at SVUH and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, where his Aunt Patsy had passed away. In Kevin's words, "Intensive care units throughout the country do tremendous work day in and day out, which largely goes unnoticed and unthanked."
Today, we extend our deepest thanks to Kevin. It was an honour to care for Des and we are profoundly moved by the generosity and support, which will help us continue to provide the best possible care for all those who need it.
#Gratitude #ICU #SVUH #FamilySupport #HealthcareHeroes