The Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Database
This page has been established to allow those people who are unable to attend our fundraising events help us achieve the goal of funding this very important initiative for many years to come.
My beautiful wife and our good friend, Jenny Mcgovern (Taaffe), suffered a devastating Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis in 2018.
After the most courageous, graceful and inspirational battle she passed away on August 7th of last year.
Jenny lived an amazing and fulfilling life even though she died at aged 41. She was driven by her ambition to succeed, her desire to be happy and her unwavering commitment to provide for her two precious boys, James and Rory.
One of Jenny's final wishes was to help others. She wanted her death to be used as a catalyst to raise the profile of this awful disease.
Currently in Ireland, the HSE have an administrative database which provides certain key performance indicators of the National Cancer Control Programme but does not allow for the collection or interrogation of clinical details for Pancreatic Cancer. This is a major deficit. A robust and accessible database is considered a basic requirement for any national centre.
In 2020, St Vincent’s University Hospital will start the process of developing The Jenny McGovern Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Database under the guidance of Professor Kevin Conlon (Jenny’s Surgeon).
After much research and discussion with the teams in St Vincent’s it was agreed that the most beneficial legacy would be to start this much needed database.
All proceeds from all our fundraising efforts will be used to establish hire the necessary staff to administer and manage the Database in association with St Vincent’s University Hospital and the St. Vincent’s Foundation. We will fund the employment of specialised clinical nurses and administrative assistants who will track patients from diagnosis through to final outcome, logging hundreds of pieces of data along the journey in line with GDPR guidelines and all approved by the hospital ethics board. The collation of this data is the cornerstone required for the advancement of Pancreatic Cancer primary care, research initiatives and genetic advancements in the fight against this cancer.
In a short period of time the hospital will have validated robust data on the patient’s journey from presentation, diagnosis, treatment, recovery and discharge. This will facilitate the following:
• Development of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme. This has been shown in other international centres to enhance/improve the patients journey following a surgical procedure. St. Vincent’s would hope to become an ERAS Society appointed Centre of Excellence, the first in Ireland.
• Allow for audit of current practice against national/international norms. This undoubtedly will lead to improvements in the patient journey and clinical care of Pancreatic Cancer.
• Facilitate clinical research. Currently, the lack of a database has hampered Ireland’s participation in major Pancreatic research projects.
• Develop a local pancreatic cancer research environment. We need to create a culture of continual improvement and excellence. Collecting and continually analysing data is the key to producing transformational leaders who will drive the improvements for patients.
• Clinical trials will be increased as the specialised Pancreatic teams will have the data required to participate in international studies. Currently they have to decline as they are unable to produce robust enough data in a timely manner.
Finally, data will drive awareness and public discussion. Awareness in Ireland about this disease is shocking and among the
lowest in Europe and needs to change. Early diagnosis is essential.
Thank you for your support. Whether it is attending the ball, making a small donation or organising one of the several other events planned. Together we can make a difference that will last for generations.
Alan, James and Rory x
#Alwaysforward
How the funds will be spent:
All funds donated will go directly to fund the employment of specialised clinical nurses to administer and manage the new
Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Database. All funds will be managed and accounted for by the St Vincent’s Foundation, a not for profit charity organisation. All funds will be ring fenced specifically for this project and will be overseen by our external Auditor, Darren Connolly of UHY Farrelly Dawe White Limited.
Who am I and where am I from:
This campaign is run by Alan McGovern, Dublin Ireland in association with the St Vincents Foundation.
My relationship or contact to the parties you're raising funds for:
We are raining funds for St Vincents Hospital so they can employ specialised clinical nurses to manage the new pancreatic cancer database. Jenny was treated in St Vincents Hospital during her illness.
Your withdrawal plan to get the funds from the campaign to the ultimate beneficiary/ies
The funds will be withdrawn directly to the bank account of Jenny and Alan McGovern and transferred directly to St Vincents Foundation without delay or deduction. This process will be monitored by Darren Connolly of UHY Farrelly Dawe White Limited, Auditors and Accountants.
