The family and friends of a man treated for heart failure donated over £6,000 to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital by walking up Ben Nevis; the highest mountain on the British Isles.
Bobbie Patten set about raising money in memory of her partner of 22 years, Kevin Maloney, after being overwhelmed by the level of support and care he received at the hospital.
“We wanted to donate this money because the staff at the Golden Jubilee did everything they possibly could for Kevin. The nurses kept our spirits high and continually updated us, even when there was little change. Kevin really couldn't have been cared for in a better place”.
After feeling unwell whilst on holiday in May 2015, Kevin attended his GP. After routine tests he was admitted to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and was diagnosed with heart failure.
Kevin was immediately transferred to the Golden Jubilee for urgent Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), a technique that oxygenates blood outside the body, and was on ECMO for 10 days before he sadly passed away. His family later learned he had an enlarged heart, which was never previously discovered as he was always generally in good health.
On the first anniversary of his death, Kevin’s closest friends and family committed to climb Ben Nevis 'In Kevin's Name'. Debbie Anton, Kevin’s step daughter, said: “We could have sat in the house on that day mourning again and feeling upset, but instead we decided to do something positive, something which would help and benefit other patients, something to be proud of whenever we thought of Kevin. Little did we know we would raise over £6000.”
The Golden Jubilee’s Critical Care Nurses Nicola Hart and John Wales, who cared for Kevin, travelled to his home town of Coupar Angus for the cheque presentation plus they joined the quiz night, organised by Kevin's brother Patrick plus the football team in which Kevin played.
Anne Marie Cavanagh, Nurse Director at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital, adds: “The Golden Jubilee is the home of national and regional heart services for the NHS in Scotland. Contributions like this £6,000 will make a real difference to the lives of those patients, visitors and guests in our care and we are extremely grateful to Kevin’s family and close friends for the generosity and kindness shown to the Golden Jubilee Hospital. On behalf of all the staff, I would like to offer our heartfelt thanks for thinking about us.”
