The ‘LauraLynn Children’s Hospice’ Foundation was set up in 2001 as
a result of an enormous personal tragedy in the lives of Jane and
Brendan McKenna which saw them lose both of their precious daughters
Laura and Lynn in the space of just two years.
Their youngest daughter Laura was born with a hole in her heart, and having endured and survived six months and two serious operations in Our Lady’s Hospital, went on to have a few relatively good years, with the final repair operation to come. Sadly when it did, Laura did not survive it and died in 1999, aged just 4. Her mum 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, on the other hand, 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.’’
The Hospice or House as Jane prefers to call it, is about respite for the family as a whole. It is about putting ‘Life into a child’s day, not days into a child’s life’. For parents, it will give that much needed break – often as simple as a decent night’s sleep. It will also support healthy siblings, who are very much left out, when a sick child needs 24 hour care. It will offer families a choice when the end comes and ongoing support for the family when the child has passed on, for as long as they choose, which is hugely important, as life can never be the same again. Home Care is also a huge part of the service, as is linking with other organisations working in similar areas.
Having met with the Chairman and CEO of The Sunshine Children’s Home in Leopardstown on a number of occasions, the Laura Lynn Childrens Hospice have made the decision to merge with them. The Children’s Sunshine Home has obtained planning permission for 4 new Units to be built on their grounds at Leopardstown Road, Foxrock. One of these Units – the Palliative Care Unit - will be known as the LauraLynn House. LauraLynn will come under the umbrella of The Children’s Sunshine Home, where the organisations can work together to bring comfort and support for up to 300 families
The cost of building runs to several million euro, but the ongoing costs for the future upkeep will also require very significant funding and it is hoped that people will continue to support in the wonderful way that they have far into the future. We will also be eternally grateful for this on-going and continued support.
Jane would like to personally take this opportunity to express
her sincere thanks to all who have given such fantastic support to
date. ‘From my husband Brendan and myself personally, the kindness
of so many is truly appreciated and this project is a huge part of
what helps us survive - one reason to carry on’.
If you would like to help you can make a contribution or set up a
direct debit at National Irish Bank, Main Street, Blanchardstown,
Dublin 15. Sort Code: 95-15-02 Account Number: 01087029
E-mail:
info@lauralynnhospice.com Website:
www.lauralynnhospice.com
Website for The Children’s Sunshine Home:
www.csh.ie
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