On Thursday January 22nd 2015, The Children’s Medical Research Foundation held their Best of Ireland Gala Dinner at the New York Athletic Club in partnership with the American Ireland Fund who has been a longtime supporter of the hospital’s work.
Now in its fourth year, funds raised at this gala dinner have helped open a new state state-of-the-art Children’s Heart Centre at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, in Dublin, which admits almost 600 children who need critical and often life-saving cardiac care each year.
The event was attended by members of the foundation’s US and Irish board, the Dinner Gala Committee, friends of CMRF, and the evening’s honorees; President and CEO of Keurig Green Mountain Brian Kelley and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Joe Quinsey, CEO of Children’s Medical Research Foundation, thanked everyone for their generous support and commitment to the hospital over the last four years.
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Honorary Patron of CMRF, addressed the attendees through a letter where he acknowledged the life changing work carried out by the hospital and thanked everyone for their support: “Have a wonderful evening and thank you on behalf of children throughout the world for your very generous and loyal support.”
Mr. Manning, spoke about what it meant to him to be one of the evening’s honorees: “This is special for me, I’ve been involved in numerous hospitals here in New York and down in Mississippi, especially children’s hospitals. Playing football, going to visit these children, maybe lighten up their day a little bit, give them a smile, raising money, giving your time and obviously everybody here has that same philosophy. You’re all here, giving your time and money and you’re helping out children in need, so thank you very much.”
Mr. McDowell accepted his award and thanked everyone for coming out and showing their support: “A huge thanks to everyone for being here this evening, it’s such a great night, there are so many people in this room that I’ve met through this dinner that I can now called friends. It’s really great to be here, thanks again.”
Senator Eamonn Coghlan, a CMRF board member for over 30 years, thanked everyone in attendance for their support and sponsorship over the last four years: “The commitment and the energy you give to our cause will, undoubtedly, help us to focus more attention towards helping the sick children who attend Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and beyond. Go raibh míle maith agat.”
Attendees included: President and CEO of The Ireland Funds, Kieran McLoughlin; National Director of the American Ireland Funds’ Young Leaders, Pat Tully; professional golfer and U.S Open Winner Graeme McDowell, President and CEO of Keurig Green Mountain Brian Kelley and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.