A charity founded by a Cork barrister has won this month’s Community Spirit Award for its dedicated work raising awareness about cases of sepsis.
The Irish Sepsis Foundation was set up by Doireann O’Mahony in 2022 after being inspired by clients who had been injured or bereaved by sepsis infection.
As a barrister, Doireann specialises in cases of medical negligence and said she has witnessed the devastation that sepsis can cause.
In the two years since starting the charity, she has worked continuously to educate the public, healthcare professionals and policymakers about the critical importance of early recognition and prompt intervention in sepsis cases.
Through awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, and support programs, the charity aims to empower individuals to recognise the signs of sepsis, seek timely medical attention, and become active partners in their healthcare journey.
Now their hard work is being recognised by the Cork International Hotel Community Spirit Award, an honour given monthly to outstanding people and organisations helping out their communities, aiming to celebrate the all-too-often unrecognised work of these local legends.
Nominations for this award are entirely open to the public, with the only criteria for nominees being that they give their time voluntarily without any financial reward. The judging panel for the Community Spirit Awards are made up of a mixture of representatives from the public and private sectors within the community.
General Manager of the Cork International Hotel, Eoghan Murphy said: “I sincerely congratulate Doireann and the entire team at the Irish Sepsis Foundation on their award for their hard work and dedication to the charity. They are working tirelessly to help in various areas around sepsis which can have such devastating effects. I wish Doireann and the team the very best of luck in the future.”
The most recent winner of the Community Spirit Award was Crosshaven man Stephen Cleary, who was recognised for his dedicated work as a Garda in the area and prominent involvement in local groups and fundraising organisations.
If you know an exceptional individual or group who you think deserves the next Community Spirit Award, you can submit your nomination here.