Next Thursday, May 1st, is National Tea Day in aid of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. Funds raised during last year's campaign were used to help fund the opening of new Alzheimer daycare centres in Sligo and Kilkenny, and the society's first purpose built daycare centre at Curlew Road in Drimnagh is scheduled to open shortly. Anyone interested in hosting a tea break or who would like more information on activities in their area should contact Barbara Scully on (01) 2846616.
The Great Irish Famine Trust is organising symbolic walks in every county in Ireland next Monday, May 5th. The bank holiday walks will take place to honour those who died or emigrated during this period of Irish history and to celebrate the success of those who made the hazardous journey to the New World. Funds raised will benefit Gorta's fight against global famine and The Big Issue's efforts to facilitate self help programmes for the homeless and long-term unemployed in Ireland. Information from Gorta (01) 6615522 (tel); 6612627 (fax).
Friends of St Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin have organised a golf classic in aid of their on-going CAT-Scan appeal; £250,000 is required to purchase the scanner and £150,000 has been raised so far. The tournament will take place on May 15th and the cost is £500 per team. For details and timesheet telephone Emer Pollard on (01) 2827793.
Today at noon the Cystic Fibrosis association will launch its "Breath of Life" campaign to raise funds for the immediate needs of those suffering from the disease; one in 20 people carry the CF gene and it is the most commonly inherited life threatening genetic disease in the country. On June 28th a crew of four sailors will set out from Dun Laoghaire to take on the challenge of a non stop circumnavigation of Ireland and they aim to set a record as the smallest sailing boat to complete the 704 mile course. In conjunction with the sailing event there will be numerous fund raising activities around the country. Anyone interested in organising an event or in sponsoring the challenge should telephone Paul Birchall or Siobhan Casey on (045) 874979.
Women are being sought to participate in a study into the benefits of a new form of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin. The study is designed to look at the effect of HRT on relieving the symptoms of menopause and to determine its general impact on the overall quality of life for women. The research will also examine the effects of HRT on bones, the prevention of osteoporosis, and the role of HRT in reducing the risk of heart disease. Volunteers for the study should be aged 40-65 years of age and in good general health. They should not be on HRT at the moment and should not have had a period for six months or more. The study will involve having a full medical check up before starting treatment, and regular check ups during treatment. Anyone interested in participating in the research can receive further information from Noreen or Margaret on (01) 608 2560.