Origins of Croí

Cardiovascular Disease is the leading cause of death in Ireland, accounting for over one third of all deaths. While death rates from cardiovascular disease are declining in Ireland, our rates are still above the EU average!

In 1985, Croí the West of Ireland Cardiac Foundation was established as a voluntary, charitable Foundation in response to the special needs of the West of Ireland. Its aim at the time was to provide leadership and financial support behind a community wide campaign to improve cardiology services at University Hospital Galway. Over the years, Croí in partnership with the HSE West (formerly Western Health Board) supported a range of capital and service development initiatives across the hospitals in the region.
The establishment in 2007 of Cardiothoracic Surgical Services at University Hospital Galway represented the culmination of twenty one years of campaigning, fundraising and collaboration. Due to enormous public support, Croí has been a significant catalyst in Galway’s emergence as a centre of excellence for cardiology and cardiac care.
'Croí', being the Irish word for 'heart' was chosen to be part of the foundation's logo. It is particularly suitable in a West of Ireland context, given the presence of a large Gaeltacht area.
The Croí™ logo is a registered trademark.