THERE WERE mixed emotions yesterday as family and friends of a woman who died after giving birth to twins gathered to inaugurate a foundation in her memory which hopes to buy vital equipment for two hospital baby units.
Former Garda Sergeant Tania McCabe (34) died in March 2007 alongside one of her twin boys, Zach, hours after she gave birth in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
Despite weighing just 2lb 10oz, Zach’s brother, Adam, survived.
Speaking yesterday, Adam’s father Aidan praised the staff at both Our Lady of Lourdes and Holles Street Hospital for the care they provided.
“There can never be enough thank yous,” he said in an emotional address to those in attendance, who included Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the charity’s patron, broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan.
“It is the intention of the foundation to buy specific equipment with the money raised – knowing Tania, it seems a fitting way of remembering her and saying thank you to the special care units for our son Adam,” said Mr McCabe.
The charity aims to raise €50,000 for Our Lady of Lourdes and Holles Street hospitals, as 110 volunteers take part in the Gaelforce Challenge West on August 20th later this year.
“What you are doing with Gaelforce and your first occasion to raise money is a brilliant choice,” said Mr Kenny.
“I wish them very well; these warriors that take part in adventure races, as they are called, are not triathlon people or Olympians – they are superhuman to do what they do,” he added.
The Taoiseach praised Aidan McCabe and his family for their ability to turn the tragedy of losing a wife and son into something that can have a positive effect on people’s lives.
“Your courage is born out of a tragedy that didn’t need to be,” he said.
“It is one that you, out of the goodness of your own hearts, have looked outward and said, in respect of others who might have to go through similar or parallel tragedies, ‘We should do something about this’.”
During her speech, O’Callaghan said that while she never knew Tania, she could vividly recall hearing the tragic news.
“I was sitting in my office and the news came through of this beautiful young mother dying, and that little baby son that died – and she was pregnant with twins.
“It is incomprehensibly sad to even think about it,” she said.
Remembering the time she herself spent in the maternity ward in Holles Street Hospital, O’Callaghan said she deeply respected the work that staff there did.
“It is truly awesome and remarkable to see these tiny little babies and the work that these doctors and nurses do.
“So to have a foundation that is to support units like that, the Tania McCabe Foundation – you couldn’t have done a better thing in her name I think.”
Also in attendance was Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan, who fondly remembered Tania McCabe as an engaging woman with a disarming smile.
“Today is a day of mixed emotions as we celebrate the life of Tania,” he said.
“All of us who have had the pleasure of knowing Tania have our own special memories of who she was and what she stood for,” he added.
Mr Callinan said Tania had been a leader as a garda, as well as a great communicator and professional – someone with excellent interpersonal skills.
“My own memory of Tania is someone with a very engaging and disarming smile, and I know that had worked to her advantage many many times in very difficult circumstances,” he said.