Mullingar heart attack survivor wins international award

An 82 year old Mullingar native who has survived three heart attacks has received an international award in recognition of his charity work in his adopted home of Galway.

Vincent Browne is the first Irish recipient of a Medtronic Bakken Award, which recognises people from across the globe who have overcome health problems with the aid of medical technology and are now making a difference in their communities.

For the last two decades Vincent, who was reared in St Brigid’s Terrace before moving to Galway for work 64 years ago, has volunteered with the Galway based heart and stroke charity Croi.

Father of seven and grandfather of 16, Vincent suffered his first heart attack in 1990 and had a heart bypass operation in 1994. Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Vincent revealed that heart disease runs in his family. Both his father and one of his brothers died from cardiac arrests while a number of siblings have also had bypasses.

Despite suffering two further heart attacks in 2002 and 2009 and having seven stents fitted, the latest of which was in January and prevented him from travelling to Hawaii to receive his award, Vincent says that it’s his bad back that his causing him most trouble.

Joking that he’s 82 “against the odds” thanks to medical science, the retired Bus Eireann worker has continued to lead an active life despite his health problems. In addition to his charity work, both he and his wife of 57 years Sheila are keen indoor bowling players and he is founder member of the Western Bowls Association.

One of 12 Medtronic Bakken Award winners for 2015, Vincent received his accolade in front of family and friends last month in Galway. In addition to receiving his award from Medtronic Foundation president Jacob Gayle, Vincent was also given a $20,000 cheque for Croi, his charity of choice. 

This proud Mullingar man, who visits his hometown regularly, says that the “secret” to overcoming obstacles in life “is not to lie down and feel sorry for yourself”.

“My motto regarding hospital procedures has always been: Get in, get it done and get back in action. I wasn’t a worrier where procedures were concerned. I trusted the experts.

“I think it’s good to keep busy, value the second chance you have been given and use it to improve the facilities and services being provided by charities.”