Brendan Cleary, a much-loved patient at the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, sadly passed away in October 2024 but his legacy is set to live on.
A number of donations made in memory of Brendan have led to the purchase of a vital piece of medical equipment for the CPMCC at Westmead Hospital.
Brendan’s wife and children wanted to honour his memory in a way that would support both the staff and future patients of the centre.
Instead of flowers, she asked family and friends to make donations to the CPMCC.
“Brendan was always very much a part of his community,” Brendan’s wife, Heidi said.
“When I was asked where people could send donations, I wanted it to be something that could really be donated in Brendan’s memory and keep his memory alive for everyone around us.”
“The hospital let me know they were trying to raise funds for a vein finder, so this felt like the perfect way to give back.”
The funds raised – coming from Brendan, Heidi, and their children’s loved ones across Australia, Ireland, England, and France – were used to purchase a new AccuVein light system for the Day Care Suite.
This technology helps nurses locate veins more easily during cannulation, reducing stress for both patients and staff.
“The machine is what we call the vein finder,” said Adelia Fuschini, Nursing Unit Manager of the Day Care Suite at the CPMCC.
“It will make it easier for nurses to find patients’ veins, particularly when they are difficult to locate. Having this equipment means a smoother process for both our team and our patients.”
The AccuVein system arrived just before Christmas and is now in use, thanks to the generosity of the Cleary family and their community.
“I hope that this donation and the purchase of the light will make life easier for the staff at the clinic and help patients feel more comfortable,” Heidi said.
To be able to give back to the team that looked after Brendan so well – it means a lot to me and our family.
Heidi Cleary