Art for heart heroes
Hospital staff to get thank you collage from young patients
PARENTS of children who have had heart surgery will pay tribute to the staff and volunteers of Crumlin Hospital this weekend.
Little Heart Warriors Ireland are creating a thank you collage that will include pictures and messages from 72 youngsters who have been cared for in the Dublin facility.
It will be revealed on Sunday at a special event at Palmerstown House Estate in Johnstown, Co Kildare.
The idea was brought to life by celebrity make-up artist Rhona Cullinan whose daughter Molly Johnson has had two open heart surgeries.
After the 18-month-old, who has Down syndrome, was given a six-month all-clear in January Rhona decided she wanted to do something special for the staff in the hospital.
She said: “It’s a big thank you from the doctors to the tea ladies.
“And it’s also to give hope to parents whose children may be facing surgery. They’ll get to see all these children who have had surgery and gone on to live their lives.
“The children’s heart condition will also be on the pictures, so with Molly it will say tetralogy of fallot.
“A parent whose child has the same condition could see that Molly had the surgery and came through it.”
Rhona teamed up with Happy Memories Photography owner Irina Duane, whose son Leo also had heart surgery, to organise the project.
She said: “We’re very excited to reveal the frame for the first time. Parents have seen their own children’s picture, but have yet to see them
all together.
children aged between two months and 12 years will feature in collage
We’ll also be showing it on Facebook Live for parents who cannot attend because their child is still in hospital.”
X Factor star Mary Byrne will be singing at the launch and a fundraiser will be held for Heart Children Ireland.
Rhona said: “The staff in the heart centre are unbelievable.
“The care and attention they give, they are all so personable.
“When they speak to you, it’s like you’re the only patient they have.
“At Christmas we had great fun doing elf on the shelf with Molly. They just make life easier for everyone.
“Molly is now full of energy and causing trouble, we’re very lucky. You get humbled every time you walk into the hospital.
“I wanted to do something special for the staff because I didn’t want to forget everything they did for us.”
■ Further details about the project can be found at www.facebook. com/littleheartwarriorsireland.
YESTERDAY
The staff are unbelievable ..they speak to you like you are their only patient RHONA CULLINAN