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IN THE NEWS

BACKGROUND

It is through Jane and Brendan McKenna's sorrow that the 'Laura Lynn Children's Hospice Foundation' came to be set up. "The loss of our beautiful daughters, Lynn and Laura, taken away so early in their lives, is something we must try to live with every moment of every day. The pain is indescribable, but we cannot change what is. There is our hope though, that some good can come out of our sadness"

Laura

Their youngest daughter Laura was born with a hole in her heart, and having endured two serious operations, went on to have a few relatively good years, with the final repair operation to come.   Sadly, Laura did not survive and died in 1999, aged just 4.

Jane describes Laura as "a very happy, funny, beautiful little girl. A real Shirley Temple with her mass of curls, she always had a smile and made us all laugh so much – she was so cute and so brave"

Lynn

Lynn had 13 years of perfect health until she was diagnosed with Leukaemia on the very day her younger sister passed away. How she coped with her illness, her adored sister's sad death and her own impending death was an inspiration to her parents.
Jane says:

"Lynn had a wonderful 3 weeks in which she knew she was dying, wished it could be different, but accepted it with dignity, aged just 15. She had great courage and huge acceptance. She lived every minute of those weeks to the full, which is how we should all live our lives. She taught us how to live and how to die. It is why we are where we are, and why we survive. While our own situation is very sad, there are many families coping with far worse. Our hope is to help those families out there, whose children have life-limiting and/or life-threatening conditions, and are coping at present with limited support."

Having met with the Chairman and CEO of The Children’s Sunshine Home, the LauraLynn Children’s Hospice made the decision to merge in 2006.

Message from Jane & Brendan

Jane and Brendan McKenna would like to extend sincere thanks to all who have supported us so wonderfully over the last number of years. Very special thanks to the many children and young people, who's fundraising and caring for other children less fortunate is very special to us. We hope all have been thanked personally, as we do try to ensure this as much as possible. We are constantly amazed and forever grateful for the continued support and kindness of so many.

As you will know, LauraLynn House opened in September 2011, and is now bringing precious care and comfort to sick children and their families, throughout their illness, and at the ever so sad end. Brendan and I are very happy to have reached this wonderful goal.

We once again extend heartfelt thanks to all our amazing supporters. We wish the children and families peace and comfort. We wish the Management, Staff and Fundraising team the very best for the future. Contact the fundraising team on: 01-2893151. See Contacts section on this website for further details.

OBJECTIVES

  • Our main aim as Ireland's only Children's Hospice, is to provide care for children who have life limiting conditions or illness. Unfortunately many families have to face the reality of their child/children not reaching adulthood.
  • Medical care and Emergency care.
  • Respite care, not only for the sick child, but for the family and siblings, offering siblings support groups and activities
  • Encourage families to build up a "buddy" support system.
  • Giving families choices:
    To stay and share the care of their child
    Be there as a family, or leave the child in Hospice care and take a break away, knowing their child will have the same loving care as they themselves give.
    Spend more time with the other children in the family, who are often left out and choice when the end sadly comes.
  • Strive to be as flexible as possible to meet each family's needs.
  • Offer Palliative care as necessary, and continued support as needed following a child's death.