Dee Wright, Charity & Events Manager with Michelle Fletcher, Charity Coordinator, presenting a grant of €13,500 to Louise Doogan CEO of Julian Benson CF Foundation.
About Julian Benson CF Foundation
The Julian Benson CF Foundation was established in 2018 by one of Ireland’s leading talent agents and choreographers, Julian Benson. It aims to provide support and services to CF sufferers and their families.
Julian Benson was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of two and given a life expectancy of just 13 years. However, he has never let this diagnosis define him. Through positivity, exercise, and a controlled diet, Julian continues to defy the odds.
Tranquility House Project
The Tranquility House project was initiated in 2021, it will consist of four apartments that will be available to families and support networks of people living with cystic fibrosis and receiving in-hospital treatment at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin. As 80% of CF treatments take place at St Vincent’s, individuals battling CF have to travel from all over Ireland to receive treatment.
Hospital stays can be lengthy and isolating for CF patients, with family visits providing much-needed comfort. However, family members and support networks often face the difficult task of balancing the emotional, financial, and logistical challenges of supporting their loved ones while maintaining unity within the family.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Julian Benson CF Foundation is to create a serene, seaside retreat in a woodland setting where cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and their families can spend time together. This space is intended for patients who need some supervision but do not require full hospitalisation, offering them a supportive environment during their recovery. The centre will encourage rest, respite, recovery, mindfulness, exercise, and physiotherapy, all under the watchful eye of a medical team but not in the confines of a hospital.
The Grant
The Hospital Saturday Fund presented a grant of €13,500 to the Julian Benson CF Foundation. This will help provide a sanctuary where families can stay together, minimising the disruption to daily life and offering a sense of normality amidst the turmoil of chronic illness.
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