Foyle Branch Activities & Events 2006
Does anybody remember Peter singing?
MS SOCIETY NI 50th AGM & CONFERENCE IN DERRY
The Northern Ireland MS Society brought its 50th AGM & Healthcare Conference to the Tower Hotel in Derry on 13th,
14th & 15th October 2006. A highlight of the conference was an illustrated presentation on developments in the
management of MS and on his expectation of what the next ten years may bring by Professor Michael Hutchinson, a
neurologist working in St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin.
A
feature of the Saturday evening dinner was the presentation of volunteer awards to nominees from each of the branches.
Included on the right is Naomi O'Loughlin of the Foyle branch
Naomi
is presented with her award by the NI Chairperson, Josie Byrne.
It wasn't all
work. Shauna can hardly believe her ears when Kieran calls for a moment's silence as he surveys the Brandywell, once
graced by his mighty ManU, whilst Raymond & Marie enjoy the coffee break. Nuala Griffiths from Cafe Calm in Derry
is also a tour guide. Foyle Branch is grateful to Nuala who conducted a free tour of the walls for visitors. Nuala
is on the left in the red and blue top.
74 YEAR OLD TOM LEAN'S 2006 KERRY TO DERRY CYCLE FOR MS
Every year since 2001, 74 year old Tom Lean has cycled from Kerry to Derry to raise money for MS. Tom
left Ireland for the United States at age 23 to find work and retired as director of human resources for Thermal King,
part of the Westinghouse company at age 60 in 1992. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Carmel, when he's not
cycling in aid of MS here or in the US.
He's pictured on the right as he crosses the bridge from Lifford to Strabane this year and below as he is met by friends and supporters on his arrival at Iona House in Spencer Road and later as he relaxes with Carmel.
NAOMI O'LOUGHLIN & FRIENDS JUMP FOR MS
Add together a person experiencing an active MS relapse, a fear of heights and a parachute jump and you come up with the very special Naomi O'Loughlin. Naomi & her friends undertook a sponsored parachute jump in aid of the Foyle Branch on Saturday, 3rd June 2006. Despite suffering a relapse on the day, as you can see, the intrepid Naomi went ahead with the jump. Here she is proudly displaying her certificate. See the photo of Naomi presenting a cheque for an unbelievable £3181.35 on the Local Support page.
2006 QUIZ NIGHT - Waterfoot Hotel - Thursday, 18th May 2006.
Thanks to Maurice, Damien, Katie & all those who contributed prizes, the quiz raised £500 for the branch & the full house had a great night's craic.
REPORT & PICTURES OF 2006 FOYLE BRANCH AGM
Standing--Development Officer-Terry, MS Nurse-Fiona, Guest Speaker- NI Community Support Officer, Robert McConnell, Mayor-Lynn Fleming, Chairman-Peter, Welfare Officer-Moira & Treasurer-Damien: Sitting--Secretary, Marie & Vice-Chairman, Michael.
After the meeting was opened by Peter & the minutes of the 2005 AGM were adopted, The Mayor addressed the meeting. She referred to the large number of persons in NI with MS & expressed her admiration & thanks for the work of the Branch & the NI Society.
Reports were then presented by Terry, Moira & Damien & adopted by the meeting. Fiona gave a verbal report of her work covering outpatients & inpatients from the three hopspitals, home visits & information sessions.
Robert McConnell complemented the branch on its wide range of activities & services, paying a particular tribute to Terry's work. He said that there are 186 persons awaiting disease modifying therapies and the NI MS Society would continue to press for the early release of the additional funding promised by Minister Woodward. He presented a comprehensive overview of a range of recent research that was showing early promise of benefit & he clarified the society's position with regard to LDN, bee venom, goat serum & stemcell therapy, none of which have completed clinical trials.
Election of officers & committee for 2006 was conducted by Robert. Details can be viewed on the Who & Where We Are page.
It is clear from the selection of photographs below that after Peter extended thanks to all the helpers & volunteers, the attendance enjoyed the excellent refreshments provided as always by the ladies.
CLIONA & SHAUNA BEND THE EAR OF HEALTH MINISTER, SHAUN WOODWARD.
Cliona & Shauna from the Foyle Branch attended the press conference in Belfast where the Health Minister. Shaun Woodward, made his announcement about the £ 2million towards the elimination of the waiting list for the drug interferon. Cliona is among about 160 persons considered suitable for the treatment who are on a waiting list of 18 months to 2 years. See the report on the News & Research page