Dip in the Nip - In for a Penny
Fundraiser for CHI at Crumlin inspired by 6-year-old Penny O’Brien
This St. Patrick’s Day, a group of women from all over Ireland will take part in a ‘Dip in the Nip – In for a Penny’ to raise funds for sick children in CHI at Crumlin. This inspiring fundraiser was launched by Penny O’Brien and her Mum, Sinead this week. Penny’s family came up with this unique and daring event, inspired by Penny, to support the vital work that happens in CHI at Crumlin each and every day.
Penny and her Mum are asking women to get involved and sign up for the ‘Dip in the Nip – In for a Penny’ via their idonate page, details can be found here
Dip in the Nip has raised almost €80k to date and has an ambitious target of 100k and all the funds raised will be split between Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin & Cancer Care Fund for Children at Daisy Lodge House, who are raising funds to build a second Daisy Lodge therapeutic short break centre in Co. Mayo.
In June 2020, 6-year-old Penny O’Brien was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a very rare form of bone cancer. She was treated in CHI at Crumlin by the wonderful medical team in St. John’s ward.
Penny’s Mum, Sinead tells us a little about the journey, “Once in CHI at Crumlin, Penny had a biopsy, when the results came back the medical team confirmed that she had Osteosarcoma. Life changed in that week. Within a couple of days of the diagnosis Penny started her treatment. She had ten months of Chemotherapy and was in St. John’s ward. In September of 2020, she had limb saving surgery. She had the tumour together with some of the bone removed and replaced with a prosthetic, she was in St. Michael’s ward for this. The medical team started physiotherapy straight away, she was up and walking within two days.
In March 2021 Penny finished her chemo and rang the bell. The staff and her pals lined the corridor, it was a very special moment.”
Commenting on ‘Dip in the Nip – In for a Penny’, Denise Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Foundation said, “From all of us in Children’s Health Foundation and on behalf of the staff and families in CHI hospitals and urgent care centres, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Penny, her family and friends for helping to raise the vital funds to help give every sick child every possible chance to survive, thrive and live to their potential.. We would also like to thank every person that has donated and sponsored – your generosity will make a real difference for sick children.”
To get involved or find out more, you can visit the Dip in the Nip – In for a Penny idonate page here