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Marks and Spencer Ireland take pride in supporting Irish charities that make a difference in our communities lives.

Her Heart Matters

Her Heart Matters

One in four women in Ireland die from heart disease and stroke according to the Irish Heart Foundation, which has revealed that cardiovascular disease is more prevalent among women than breast cancer.

CSO data shows that in 2021, a total of 4,145 women died from cardiovascular disease which accounts for 26% of all female deaths. The data from 2021 also shows that 686 women died from breast cancer in the same year, which means that women in Ireland are six times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than breast cancer.

This comes as a surprise to most. According to a poll conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Irish Heart Foundation, more than half of women (58%) said this was higher than they thought.

From about the age of 40, a woman’s risk of heart disease and stroke increases as she moves into menopause. And yet the Ipsos poll reveals that almost one-third (30%) of women do not have enough time each day to focus on their health.

As a result, the Irish Heart Foundation has launched the ‘Her Heart Matters’ campaign which aims to encourage women in their 40s, 50s and beyond to review their lifestyles and make vital, sustainable changes to improve their heart health.

This comes as a surprise to most. According to a poll conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Irish Heart Foundation, more than half of women (58%) said this was higher than they thought.

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The Marie Keating Foundation - Lorraine's Story

The Marie Keating Foundation - Lorraine's Story

Cancer isn’t fun. It was a horrible year. But it did change me and make me a better person I believe.

I was diagnosed through a routine mammogram. There was no lump to feel, so I was completely shell-shocked. The doctors told me the outlook was good, but all I could think about was that I had cancer and this could be it. Every time I saw my beautiful grandchildren, I wondered if I would get to see them making their communion. There were waves of fear and sadness.

I attended a Survive and Thrive workshop with the Marie Keating Foundation which gave me the kick I needed to say to myself ‘You survived! Go live your life, enjoy yourself, and be grateful.’

I used to think my job was so important, and I would clean the house every day.

Cancer has taught me that life is for living. It woke me up to the fact that life is not a rehearsal. This is the real thing. These days I live in the now.

We waste so many years planning to do things or putting things off, saying I can’t do that because I need to buy a new car. I had gotten into a rut of being a sensible grown-up. Buying a new car might be the sensible thing to do, but it’s not really much fun. We don’t need to put €1,000s into a house that’s going to be left behind us. Having a nice car or a nice house isn’t half as much fun as rolling down the hill in the park with your grandkids. I’m the fun nanny.

I’ve made some amazing friends – other women who have been through the same thing. This year at the Relay for Life in Ballyfermot, four of us got a tattoo on our wrists that says ‘Believe’, with the pink breast cancer ribbon running through it.

I love my job, and I do the best I can at it, but now when I clock out I clock out. I live every single day. I try to do something fun and enjoyable instead of sitting around watching TV and getting ready for work. My partner and I might drive to Howth, buy a bag of chips and just sit watching the sea. I don’t say I’m too tired to go to the park or it’s too cold to walk on the beach. Life is a celebration.

Lorraine was diagnosed in May 2014 as part of a programme provided by her employers Marks & Spencer which invites all female employees over 40 to have a mammogram every two years. She underwent a lumpectomy, three months of chemotherapy and two months of radiotherapy. She finished treatment on December 15th – the day before her 47th birthday.

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Oxfam Ireland

Oxfam Ireland

Oxfam is a global movement of people who won’t live with the injustice of poverty. Together we save lives and rebuild communities when disaster strikes. We speak out on the big issues that keep people poor, like inequality and discrimination against women.

Thanks to Marks & Spencer and their customers, Oxfam Ireland receives an incredible €130,000 per year. This helps Oxfam to fund projects like our water programme bringing clean water to vulnerable people in the developing world. Oxfam’s water pipes, pumps and expertise help keep people healthy and safe from diseases like cholera. They also cut the hours that (mostly) women must spend fetching water – time better spent getting an education, earning a living or growing crops.

Oxfam continues to respond to global emergencies, saving lives when disaster strikes. And by staying long after the dust has settled, we help people come back stronger so they can stand on their own two feet. Oxfam works at grassroots levels, promoting development, helping people to help themselves out of poverty. Oxfam will continue to tackle global issues that keep people poor or hit poor people hardest, like inequality, discrimination against women and climate change, to create a just world without poverty.

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