A newly refurbished room designed especially for teenagers with cancer has been unveiled in Wexford General Hospital, with the project driven by the family of the late Naomi Howlin. The room on Gabriel’s Ward, the hospital’s paediatric ward, was funded by national charity, Childhood Cancer Ireland and carefully designed to create a comforting and engaging environment for teenagers with cancer while they are patients in the hospital. Features of the room include vinyl wall art with facts about famous wonders from around the world, a
media wall with a large TV and PS5, LED lighting, lava lamps, speakers and additional storage, as well as new furniture. The project was developed with the support and guidance of Naomi Howlin’s family, her parents Niamh and Barry and her brother Stephen. Naomi, who sadly died in 2024, spent many nights and weeks on Gabriel’s Ward as an in-patient during her illness. Her family wanted to create an inviting space that had everything a teenager needed to feel more at home. When she died
in 2024, Naomi was a valued member of the Wexford Wanderers U16 girls rugby team, and had been nothing short of an inspiration to all within the club. She bravely battled a rare and aggressive form of cancer before she finally succumbed to the illness, surrounded by her heartbroken family and wearing the jersey of her beloved club. While battling cancer herself, Naomi bravely insisted on helping others in the same position, as she took part in Relay for Life Wexford with her family and
Páirc Charman with under the team name ‘Naomi’s Gnomes’. “We are very grateful to everyone who helped the room become a reality – fundraisers, designers, Childhood Cancer Ireland and the staff of Gabriel’s, who all worked together to leave a wonderful tribute to Naomi,” said Niamh Howlin, Naomi’s mam. In completing the project, the charity was supported by several local fundraising initiatives, including support from Wexford Lions Club, artist Verna Goff, who dedicated proceeds from her work Precious Pebbles to the project in memory of
her son Edward, and Naomi’s school friends from Loreto Wexford, who organised a cake sale in her memory to help raise funds for the room. “Childhood Cancer Ireland is a national charity solely dedicated to supporting children and young people with cancer, survivors and their families throughout their cancer experience,” added Laua Cullinan, Childhood Cancer Ireland CEO. “We have worked in partnership with Wexford General Hospital to ensure that young cancer patients have an age-appropriate room that provides vital distractions and a much-needed sense of
normality during an incredibly challenging time. The refurbishment is part of the charity’s ongoing work to improve hospital environments for children and young people Staff within Wexford General Hospital, expressed their gratitude, including Ciara Day CNM2, Gabriel’s Ward, who said acknowledged that “hospital stays can be particularly difficult for teenagers and having a dedicated space that feels welcoming, comforting and age-appropriate can make a real difference to a young person’s experience while receiving treatment. This room will provide an important space for teenage patients and
their families for many years to come, and we are proud to have partnered on such a meaningful initiative.”
Wexford General Hospital, Gabriel’s Ward, Childhood Cancer Ireland, Naomi Howlin, teen cancer room, paediatric ward refurbishment, Wexford Wanderers, Relay for Life Wexford, Wexford Lions Club, Loreto Wexford, Precious Pebbles