“The Community That Carried Mum Through.”
When Carol stayed at The Lodge during cancer treatment, she found more than a place to stay — she found friendship, understanding, and a community that stayed with her long after treatment ended.
Our fundraiser, Louisa Keogh, shared the story about her mum with us.
“My mum, Carol Keogh, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2024, and stayed in The Lodge while receiving treatment in St James’ hospital. During chemotherapy and intense radiation, mum was away from her husband, mother, and children in Wexford, and her brother and sister in Wicklow. At her most vulnerable and terrifying time, mum was given accommodation, food, company, and transportation every single day.
Mum was shown complete kindness and compassion in receiving her cancer treatment through the hospital staff and those working at The Lodge. But also, she was given a community of friends in the other patients staying there. As her family, we did not understand what she was going through, but The Friends of Saint Luke’s Cancer Care provided the means for mum to be surrounded by people who knew how she felt.
Through the friendship group that she made and stayed in touch with up until her passing in June 2025, she was able to speak candidly with these people and share her highs and lows, as they did with her. We would often get rushed off the phone because they would be down having their tea and biscuits. When she would come home at the weekends when we could visit, we got to hear about the laughs and jokes that they would share.”
A Community that understood.
“The Lodge gave mum what her loved ones could not – a community of people who truly understood and shared her experience. That was life-changing for mum and continues to keep us going. Knowing that she had people around her that she could speak with means the absolute world.
Louisa Keogh, her youngest daughter who is writing this, is fundraising for The Friends of Saint Luke’s Cancer Care by taking part in the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon in honor of her mother. Carol Keogh touched so many lives during her 62 years on earth – thank you for giving her the care that you did.”
Together, Louisa and her supporters are helping The Friends of Saint Luke’s Cancer Care continue providing comfort, connection, and compassionate care to patients and families when they need it most.
Thank you.