Irish Construction Companies Compete in Two Sporting Events in Croke Park and The K Club in Aid of Irish Haemochromatosis Association
Already a success in terms of fundraising for 2019, the inaugural Iron Games Ireland 2019 will bring together some well-known construction company teams from across the country to compete for the Perpetual Iron Games Cup in Gaelic Football in Croke Park on Friday, 20th September and in the Iron Games Golf tournament at the K Club on Friday, 27th September this year.
The two tournaments in Gaelic football and golf will raise vital funds for the Irish Haemochromatosis Association (IAHAHA), a registered patient advocacy charity, largely volunteer-led, working for over 20 years to raise awareness of the iron overload disorder – the most common genetic condition in Ireland.
Haemochromatosis is a genetic disorder where an excessive amount of iron is absorbed from the diet into vital organs such as the liver, heart and lungs and body tissue, in other words ‘iron overload’. It is a potentially fatal condition if not detected early and is the most common genetic disorder in Ireland, where 1 in 5 people are carriers i.e. 20% of the population and 1 in 83 people are predisposed to develop it.
Pictured at Croke Park for the launch of the Inaugural Iron Games 2019 in aid of the Irish Haemochromatosis Association (IHA) are Georgina Mullet (6) from Rathgar, Dublin, and Andrea Beggy (9) from Navan, Meath, with, from left: Tom Parlon, Director General of the Construction Industry Federation; Barney Rock, David Beggy and Jack O’Shea.
At the recent launch of the Iron Games 2019 in Ireland in aid of the IHA, Gaelic football All-Star, David Beggy, who has volunteered with the IHA for over 15 years, chaired a Q&A with fellow GAA stars Barney Rock and Jack O’Shea. David Beggy, who will also referee the Iron Games 2019 in Croke Park on Friday 20th September, said: “The Iron Games is coming to Ireland this year for the very first time and my job on and off the pitch is to raise awareness of haemochromatosis and encourage people to get checked by their GP if they show early symptoms of iron overload.”
Margaret Mullett, Chairperson of the IHA, added: “Early diagnosis of Haemochromatosis is crucial as it is more common in Ireland than anywhere in the world. It is essential that we do all in our power to ensure that no Irish person goes undiagnosed or is left untreated.”
Professor Suzanne Norris, Consultant in Hepatology and Gastroenterology at St. James’s Hospital, concluded: “Ill-health from haemochromatosis and the development of serious complications such as cirrhosis can be prevented by simple treatment. Life expectancy in treated non-cirrhotic patients is normal. Early diagnosis is therefore critical, and haemochromatosis is an ideal condition to consider for population screening in Ireland.”
Among some of the well-known construction companies who will be participating and supporting the event through donations are BAM, Toureen, Mastersons/Getjar, Dornan Engineering, Kiernan Structural Steel Ltd., Tide Construction, Oliver Connell, Gael Form Ltd, King & Moffatt, Winthrop Engineering, McGarrell Reilly, Oran Precast and Suir Engineering.
The Construction Industry Federation has partnered with the Irish Haemochromatosis Association to bring the innovative Iron Games to Ireland for the first time. The Iron Games Tournament in Ireland will raise essential funds to assist in its life-saving work and help promote health, wellness and engagement amongst construction company staff.
The Irish Haemochromatosis Association encourages people who are suffering from symptoms such as chronic fatigue, joint pain, diabetes, irregular heartbeat and enlarged liver to consult their GP. A simple blood test to check a patient’s iron status can confirm or rule out iron overload. Once diagnosed, treatment is simple with regular removal of blood, similar to donating blood. Early detection is vital for sufferers to avoid organ damage and achieve a normal life expectancy.
Plans are already afoot to stage the games in 2020, when all companies will be invited to participate and make a real difference to the treatments for this disorder. Participants can sign up or donate on www.haemochromatosis-ir.com
