European Co-operation

  By CLAPAI News

European Congress of the European Network of Cleft Support Organisations
Bruges, Belgium, 7-8 October 2005

I was delighted to represent our Association at this year’s European Congress of the European Network of Cleft Support Organisations held in Bruges, Belgium, from 7-8 October. Representatives were also present from the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and of course our hosts, Belgium. This is the Association’s second year attending the European Congress.
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New Co-ordinator Appointed (September 2005)

  By Cleft Team News

We are delighted to let you know that Laura Duggan has recently been appointed as Cleft Co-Ordinator succeeding from Claire Kelly. She will operate between St. James’s Hospital and Our Ladies Hospital for Sick Children Crumlin, Dublin.

Laura comes into the team with a General Paediatric Nursing and a Managerial background. Having most recently worked as a Ward Manager in The Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Laura has a considerable amount of experience in Paediatric/Family Centered Care. We wish Laura well and look forward to working with her in her new role.

Marathon Fund Raising

  By Fundraising

We want to wish Noel Conway all the best when he runs the Dublin City marathon in aid of CLAPAI. This year the marathon is expected to reach a record number of participants  – 10,000! Noel has been inspired to fund raise for the Association by his baby niece Ellie. We’d like to thank Noel for his time and effort. You might say he is one in ten thousand!

Hospital News – Bone Graft Surgery

  By Hospital News

Traditionally children that have their first surgeries in OLHSC Crumlin move to St James for their bone grafts. From 2006, bone graft surgery will revert to Crumlin. The Association is very pleased with this move, as we believe wherever possible children should receive medical treatment in a children’s medical environment.

Kilimanjaro – The Summit

  By Fundraising

In October 2005 Laura, Joe, Niamh & Andrew made it to the summit of Kilimanjaro. and in doing so they raised €4,000 for the Association! Here is Laura’s account of the journey.

Kilimanjaro – The Summit
By Laura Fingleton

On the 20th of October last, myself, Niamh, Joe and Andrew set off on what was to be one of the most physically challenging experiences each of us had ever undertaken.
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Information Evening (Nov’04) – Report

  By Events - Reports

Our Information Evening (17th November) was attended by some 30 people who took a very encouraging interest in the speakers’ presentations. First up was David Orr, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, who spoke of his involvement in an Operation Smile project twelve months previously in Kenya. Next up was Julie Young, Speech and Language Therapist, who spoke on feeding matters. Questions from the audience indicated a concern about the quality of advice and guidance available in maternity hospitals on feeding the child with a cleft palate.
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Ena Lynn Moves On

  By Uncategorized

Many of our readers will know Ena Lynn from her work with the Health Research Board. For those of you that don’t, Ena has had the extraordinary job of collecting clinical data and samples from cleft affected families all over Ireland. When she started three years ago, there were 112 samples (collected with the help of the Association). Thankfully at the time there were enough samples to help researchers secure a fund for further work.
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Dublin City Marathon Fundraiser

  By Uncategorized

Congratulations to Ronan Ely who not only completed the Dublin City Marathon in 4 hours 30 mins, sale he raised €2, prostate 700 for the Association. Ronan, who is studying Business Studies in Cork Institute Technology, travelled to our recent Information Evening to present the Association with a cheque for €2,400.
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Root Canal Treatment

  By Uncategorized

We recently had a query from one of our parents about Root Canal Treatment. On a routine visit to the Orthodontist in St. James’s Hospital our parent was advised that root canal treatment might be needed for daughter Christina. The question raised was where could root canal treatment be received and would there be a cost.
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International Conference, Sept’04

  By Uncategorized

On September 14th 2004 the first international conference of European Cleft Lip & Palate support groups took place. CLAPA Uk hosted the event, nurse which was held in London. It was a tremendous success thanks to all the speakers and delegates who made it such an interesting day. CLAPAI chairman Eddie Byrne made a presentation outlining how cleft is treated in Ireland and how the Association operates here. Valuable contacts have been made particularly with Associations that are similar in size. It is planned to hold another conference next year.