I've created this page in memory of a loved one.
Emma’s Gift Box - Art & Craft Supplies for Oncology Patients
Emma was an oncology patient at the Mater Hospital and we’d like to explain how the idea of ‘Emma’s Gift Box’ came into being.
Before her passing, at the age of 25, Emma spent many weeks as an inpatient in the Mater.
During one of Emma’s conversations with Dr Sinead Lynch, the Mater’s Senior Psychologist, Sinéad asked Emma if she felt that there was anything that The Mater could do to make things easier for patients in a similar position to her.
Emma explained to Sinéad that she found being engaged with her hobbies helped her to both fill her time and to cope with the reality of her terminal illness.
It was Emma’s wish that other patients would have access to materials that would give them the same opportunity to become engrossed in similar hobbies.
The Gift Box
Sinéad caught Emma’s vision and ‘Emma’s Gift Box’ became a reality shortly after her passing.
Since then the gift box has been stocked with a myriad of supplies and art materials such as paint, canvasses, knitting needles, wool, mouth organs and more… and the staff constantly review what is possible.
These supplies are distributed, when requested, to patients in St Vincent’s Ward by the nursing staff on duty.
Given the potential for infection and the low immunity of some patients - for hygiene purposes - materials are only used once and then need to be replenished.
This also means that it is not always practical to receive donated materials. Therefore having a fund that allows the relevant nursing staff to replenish the materials is most beneficial for patients. This fundraising page supports that fund.
Emma was a multi-talented young woman. She was a classically trained pianist and she had just begun her career as a primary school teacher.
Not having access to a piano, Emma spent many hours engrossed in her other hobbies such as Arts, Crafts, Crosswords, Sudoku, Embroidery, Cross-stitch and Knitting.
Emma said that, as she worked on her arts and crafts projects, she found solace and was able to ‘lose herself’. She became so deeply engrossed with her hobbies that it allowed her space and time to concentrate on something other than her medical treatments and procedures.
We hope ‘Emma’s Gift Box’ can continue to provide that solace for other patients, especially those who are in a similar position to Emma.
Thank you for your generosity,
Jackie
Thank you to my Sponsors
€520
Mrprice
€112.36
Noel & Jean Derby
€106
David Guinan
€106
Gerry Guinan
€106
Jackie Guinan
€106
Grainne Kearns
Such a moving message x
€106
Guy Simpson
A wonderful legacy. So great to see it will be ongoing.
€106
Megan Shaughnessy
€106
Stephen Carroll
€106
Laura Berry
€106
Jeanne Whelan
Precious memories of beautiful Emma
€106
Eleanor O’connor
€106
Aideen Gilmartin
€106
James Brogan
€106
Helen Hogan
An amazing legacy of an amazing girl who is always in our hearts!
€106
Catherine Hickey
€106
Seamus & Margaret Shaughnessy
€106
Ross Elwood
A great friend and lovely person. Emma will always be loved and missed.
€106
Cormac Mcdermott
€106
Ciaran Dawson
€106
Anonymous
€106
Sadhbh Stapleton
€106
Colin O’reilly
€106
Ger And Paddy Mc Dermott
A lovely memory
€106
Claire Seymour
€106
Laura Walsh
€106
Deirdre Markham
Super charity Jackie. What a lovely legacy. Delighted to donate.
€106
Bernadette Keating
Wonderful idea!
€100
Paul Guinan
€53
Crona Shields
€53
Michael Curran
€53
Joanne B
In memory of a good friend ❤️
€53
Katie Nyhan
Emma was a beautiful person inside and out! What a an amazing idea. She was an amazing person and a wonderful friend x
€53
Lois
€53
Fionnuala Sparksman
€53
Billy Cooper
Such a thoughtful and inspiring idea. May these resources bring solace to many.
€53
Margaret
€53
Kevin Boushel
€53
Lisa Nestor
€53
Gillian
A beautiful and generous wish, it’s lovely to see it being fulfilled.
€50
Maebh Coyle
This is such a beautiful idea and it reflects so well the beautiful person Emma was, we will always remember her Jackie.
€31.80
Sarah Shaughnessy
€26.50
Franco Pinti
€26.50
Kate
€21.20
Charlotte Lyons
€21.20
Ailbhe Kehoe
€21.20
Louise Loftus
€21.20
Ellen O’reilly
€21.20
Nuala
€21.20
Niamh Mcgonagle
€20
Claire Stenson
€10.60
Jamie Hession
€10.60
Zoe Jennings
€10.60
Anonymous
€10
Anonymous
A beautiful idea.
€5.30
A wonderful cause and a great idea.