A Bonniconlon nurse who was one of the main drivers behind the setting-up of Galway’s first dedicated stroke unit in 2006 has been honoured with a national award for her champion work by the Irish Heart Foundation.
Anna Mai Maloney, who now lives in Galway, picked up the award for her tireless work during her long nursing career to support and advocate on behalf of stroke patients at the Irish Heart Foundations’s Life Afer Stroke Awards.
“Anna Mai Maloney has been an unstoppable force in the fight for services for stroke patients and according to her colleagues, she is an inspiration to all who meet her,” said Dr Colin Edwards from Boehringer Ingelheim, who supported the awards.
“Anna Mai has long championed the cause of stroke patients in Galway to ensure they received the best care and the resulting stroke unit in Galway is an incredible testament to all her hard work,” continued Dr Edwards.
Barry Dempsey, chief executive of the Irish Heart Foundation, explained that there are tens of thousands of stroke survivors in Ireland today but many of their stories are unknown.
“A stroke can happen to anyone at any age and our annual Life After Stroke Awards provides a unique opportunity to share incredible stories of unsung stroke heroes living in every corner of Ireland. “Every day small miracles happen and our 12 award winners represent the heroic efforts of all stroke survivors, families and carers nationwide who are dealing with this illness. “I hope their stories will inspire everyone to believe what I believe, that there really is life after stroke.”
