NI Newsletter
Reg Charity No 249338
Summer 2015
Inaugural World Birth Defects Day
The First World Birth Defects Day was marked in Northern Ireland by a joint event with Rare Diseases Day. The event took place in the Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen. Shine’s Cathy McKillop presented information about spina bifida and Martine Austin, our Head of Prevention, presented on the importance of Folic acid. The event was opened by Gerard Guckian Chair of the Western Health and Social Care Trust and in his address he mentioned the importance of folic acid, which when taken at least three months before conception until at least the first three months of pregnancy, can greatly reduce the risk of Neural Tube Defects.
“This was a great opportunity to speak at an event which was attended by health care professionals, patients/ clients, carers and researchers.” Cathy McKillop
On the evening before, an event was held for Shine members in the Westville Hotel in Enniskillen. Marie McGonnell and Martine Austin spoke at this event.
Shine NI PO Box 132, Cushendall BT44 0WA E: northern.ireland@shinecharity.org.uk T: 01733 555988 W: shinecharity.org.uk