Trinity Medical Students Seek Public Support for Med Day 2010

Posted on: 05 November 2010

From 7am this morning, Friday, November 5th, Trinity College’s medical students wearing bright yellow t-shirts will take to the streets of the campus and the city to help raise much-needed funds for two deserving causes, the Burn’s Unit at St James’s Hospital and the Colorectal Cancer Screening programme at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin Incorporating the National Children’s Hospital (AMNCH).  In addition, money will also be raised for the Cancer Care Fund in the AMNCH and Med Day has pledged its continued support to the Trinity Access Programmes (TAP).  In 2009 a total of €50,000 was raised to support the Stroke Unit at St James’s Hospital and Mental Health Rehabilitation services across Dublin resulting in Med Day being nominated for an Irish Healthcare Award.

Trinity College Med Day is an annual fundraising event organised by medical students at TCD.  Funds generated during Med Day will benefit the national Burns Unit at St James’s Hospital by ensuring their multidisciplinary team has the relevant technologies to ensure the long-term physical, vocational and psychosocial functioning of burn victims.  The funds will also ensure the continuation of the successful colorectal cancer screening programme that was launched in the AMNCH in 2008.  It is hoped that the cost-effective screening process will be rolled-out nationally helping to prevent or cure early-stage cancers.

Med Day Committee Chairperson Conor Broderick said: “After five years of medical school where patients give us their time and energy we look forward to Med Day where we can spend the time giving something back.”

To celebrate Med Day 2010 a number of events will take place in College Park including a rodeo bull, a bachelor and bachelorette auction and a super cup soccer match.  A new initiative this year is the Head to Head Cycle Challenge, a bicycle relay from Mizen Head to Malin Head over 24 hours.  Fundraisers will be positioned along the route during the 24-hour marathon cycle.

Since its establishment in 2002, students from Trinity College have raised over €500,000, making it one of the most significant single fundraising days in the calendar.  In order to help the Med Day 2010 team reach their goal of €60,000 keep an eye out for the students in the yellow t-shirts, who will be on the streets from 7 am to 1.30pm.   To support Trinity Med Day online visit www.tcdmedday.com