BUMBLEance faces record demand in Cork

Cork was the busiest county for BUMBLEance in July, with the highest number of requests for Ireland’s only dedicated children’s ambulance service.

The charity is overwhelmed by demand in Cork due to limited resources.

The Cork Independent spoke to Eimear Hallahan, a mother of two from Cork and an ambassador for BUMBLEance since 2023.

For many parents, the early days of a newborn should be filled with joy and wonder. But for Eimear, those days became a fight for her baby’s life. Her youngest son James was just over a month old when doctors told her his chances of survival were slim to none. Today, his medical journey continues to be complicated, with ongoing health issues including a left kidney functioning at only 20% and he is missing parts of his legs due to infection. He faces many surgeries in the future.

Amid these unimaginable challenges, one support system became crucial: BUMBLEance.

“Back in October 2022, James was a perfect little baby, happy out—it was amazing. But at just over a month old, James became critically unwell. We found out he had an extensive infection of MSSA bacteria, which then led to neonatal sepsis. We were in CUH, and within 24 hours we were bluelighted to Crumlin. Their words were: ‘James needs to be as close as possible to an ICU bed because it was looking like he was going to need one'.”

The days that followed were terrifying. Within a couple of days of arriving in Crumlin, they were told: “James’s chances of survival were slim to none. As a parent, that’s the scariest thing you can hear.”

At just 24 years old and with two small children, Eimear faced every parent’s worst nightmare. “It was my second baby, and we’d had such an easy time with our first. I didn’t expect the worst, and then for this to happen so quickly—it was every parent’s worst nightmare.”

By November, James’s condition had worsened, with infections across his spine, pelvis, ribs, legs, and arms. He underwent a major procedure to drain the affected areas, and every day brought a new challenge. “We were told that if he didn’t move his arms and legs, by Monday he’d be transferred for spinal surgery. The level of infection was extreme.”

The family spent long stretches in Crumlin. Around Christmas, there was hope of returning home. “On 23 December, we were set to go back to CUH in Cork for Christmas,” she explained.

“The Ladybird ward felt like our second home—the staff are amazing. But we didn’t realise how hard it is to get an ambulance transfer back home. James was such a high-risk case; we couldn’t just drive him.”

At that time, they didn’t know about BUMBLEance. Today, the service is a vital part of their lives. Since January 2023, they use it for about 80% of appointments. “James’s medical future is complicated—he has ongoing health issues, including a left kidney with only 20% function and missing parts of his legs due to the infection. He has many surgeries ahead.”

Appointments up and down to Crumlin are exhausting, especially when the news isn’t good. BUMBLEance takes that stress away. “Our Cork driver Richie is literally part of our family. He entertains James, comforts us, and provides emotional support. It’s so much more than just a journey from A to B.”

Demand

Demand for the service is surging. “The demand in Cork has become huge. BUMBLEance is incredible, helping families going through very difficult situations,” Eimear said. “Jimmy is a miracle, but there are families who have it even harder, like kids traveling weekly for chemotherapy. BUMBLEance is more than a charity—it’s a family.”

The memory of those early days is never far away. “I will never forget asking James’s consultants about his chances of living. They said it was as life-threatening as it could be. The only way we got through it was by being positive. Even with news about his legs, I remind myself of how far we’ve come. Take one day at a time. Focus on any positive thing in a day to get through it. Don’t give in to negativity.”

Alongside caring for James, Eimear has been building her own career. “I’m working with RedFM now. That’s a huge dream come true. Going through what we did with Jimmy made me go for things and see how short life can be.”

Ambassador

Her ambassador role with BUMBLEance is one of her proudest responsibilities. “I always want to raise awareness. I hope people never need it, but if they do, it’s such a comfort. If I had known about BUMBLEance before James got sick, that first Christmas would have been so much less stressful. Now, every journey is supported, and it makes such a difference. BUMBLEance have made such a difficult time in our lives so much easier. That’s why I’m so passionate about being an ambassador for them, doing as many fundraisers and media appearances as possible, because the cause is so badly needed.”

BUMBLEance is a national ambulance service for children with serious and life-limiting conditions. It receives no Government funding and is fully dependent on donations.

The charity is focusing on expanding its presence in Cork and the south-east and is currently hiring a new Cork-based driver.

BUMBLEance General Manager Ian Fallon said: “BUMBLEance's services in county Cork are among the busiest in the country. As we continue to work to meet the staggering demand, we're in the process of recruiting a brand-new Cork-based driver to further expand our work in this community.”

Applicants can apply or find out more here: bit.ly/BMBLCorkDriver.

With more than 8,000 families in Ireland living with a child who has a life-limiting condition, BUMBLEance plays a vital role in making sure no child is left behind.

To support their work or learn more, visit bumbleance.com.