Welcome to the Joe Kavanagh Foundation

The family and friends of Joe Kavanagh have set up this Foundation following his sudden death on 7th July 2007.

Joe’s sudden death was a huge shock to everyone that knew him. He had an extremely healthy lifestyle, being involved in sport (particularly basketball) and training all his life. He was exceptionally fit. Joe collapsed at the start of a training session in the gym from Ventricular Arrhythmia (fatal irregular heartbeat).

Although CPR was administered promptly Joe never regained consciousness and three days later, having donated his organs, the life support was turned off. Joe was 47 years of age. If there was a defibrillator in the gym Joe would have had a much greater chance of survival.

Latest News

The Joe Kavanagh Foundation are delighted to present a defibrillator to St. Patrick's Athletic Football Club and are looking forward to the game on Friday against Shamrock Rovers.

Joe Kavangh Foundation present a defibrillator to St.Pats FC.

Julie Kavanagh and Judy Kelleher at the presentation of a defibrillator to St. Pats FC.
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Come and join us at this year's Flora Womens Mini Marathon on Monday 4th June 2012! Enter soon as it fills up very quickly!

HOW TO ENTER

1. REGISTER WITH THE OFFICIAL MINI MARATHON SITE www.florawomensminimarathon.ie The closing date is Friday 20th April or whenever MAXIMUM number of participants is reached. This always closes early each year. You can also enter on the official entry form which appears in the Evening Herald every Wednesday and Saturday.

AND THEN

2. REGISTER WITH THE JOE KAVANAGH FOUNDATION by sending us an email with your name, contact telephone number, and size of t shirt required and we will post it to you along with a sponsor card.Read more

Julie Kavanagh and Caroline Flynn present a defibrillator on behalf of the Joe Kavanagh Foundation, to Grainne Dwyer of Glanmire Basketball Club

. Defibrillator presented to Glanmire Basketball Club Read more

Fundraiser night held by Killester Basketball Club
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Members of the Killester Basketball Club attend a Heartsaver AED Course
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AIMS OF THE FOUNDATION

To reduce the incidence of Sudden Cardiac Death
To highlight the importance of being able to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and use a Defibrillator
To help organise and support the running of CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training courses with instructors affiliated to the Irish Heart Foundation.
To support the instillation of AEDs in communities that need help
To support research into early detection of problems that can lead to Sudden Cardiac Death,

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Encourage your sports club, workplace or community to run a CPR/AED course and to install a defibrillator and contact us for support
Organise a fundraising event in your club or community to support the Joe Kavanagh Foundation and we can help with installing a defibrillator and running CPR/AED courses.
Donate

Registered Charity No: CHY 19059

SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH (SCD)

Approximately 10,000 people die in Ireland each year from cardiovascular disease (CVD) which is 36% of all deaths. The largest number of these deaths, 6,000, are Sudden Cardiac Deaths. This equates to approximately 15 deaths per day across all age groups. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the single most prevalent cause of premature death in adults.
Many lives can be saved if CPR is performed immediately and a defibrillator is accessible.
Having a defibrillator on site within two minutes there can be an 80% chance of survival.
Approximately 95% of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching hospital.
Death from sudden cardiac arrest is not inevitable. If more people knew CPR more lives could be saved.
Few attempts at resuscitation are successful if CPR and defibrillation are not provided within minutes of collapse.