Olympic athlete Derval O’Rourke, patron of the Cork University Hospital (CUH) Charity, is asking participants in the Cork City Marathon, on 3rd June, to run in aid of the CUH Charity’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Appeal. Recognising that a critical illness can be one of the most stressful times for families of patients, the ICU Appeal’s first aim is to refurbish the visitor’s area on the ward and to develop a private area for family discussions.

Dr Dorothy Breen, a Consultant in the Intensive Care Unit at CUH said “We are delighted to have Derval behind our appeal and are hoping to have a great turnout on the day of the marathon. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) looks after patients with life-threatening ill-nesses resulting from trauma, infection and cardiac arrest to mention a few and can deliver the most advanced forms of life support to patients from the Munster region.  With events such as the Cork City Marathon, we are hoping the public will assist us in reaching our fundraising goals.”

The CUH Charity was formed in 2012 to raise funds for services and facilities for every department in the Cork University Hospital. The ICU Appeal currently has over 60 people taking part in the Cork City Marathon. Registration can be made at www.corkcitymarathon.ie. To join the ICU Appeal Marathon Team (and receive your sponsorship pack) or for further information please contact icu@cuhcharity.ie or follow us on Facebook ICU RUN for LIFE or donate at www.mycharity.ie/event/icurunforlife.