The Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust is guided by an exceptional Board of Trustees who bring together decades of experience in blood cancer care, pioneering research, healthcare leadership and lived patient experience.
 
Together, they understand every aspect of the transplant journey, from groundbreaking research and world-class clinical care to patient support and the realities faced by families every day.   
Our Trustees - Guided by experience. Driven by compassion.

Our Board Members

Our Board brings together internationally respected clinicians, researchers, healthcare leaders and people with lived experience of stem cell transplantation. Together, they understand every aspect of the transplant journey, from pioneering research and clinical excellence to the practical and emotional support that helps patients and families through treatment and recovery.

Giving their time voluntarily, they provide the leadership, governance and compassion that ensure the Trust continues to make a lasting difference to lives across Ireland.

PROFESSOR SHAUN MCCANN

Founder

Professor Shaun McCann established the Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust in 1984 and founded Ireland’s first Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at St. James’s Hospital.  A pioneering haematologist and researcher, he has dedicated his career to advancing transplant medicine and improving outcomes for patients with blood cancers.

His vision and leadership laid the foundation for world-class care and continues to inspire the Trust’s mission today.

“When we came together with compassion and determination, we could give patients not just more time, but hope.”

Dr. Eibhlin Conneally

Dr. Eibhlin Conneally
Consultant Haematologist & Board Secretary

Read Biography

Dr. Eibhlin Conneally is a highly respected consultant haematologist whose career has been dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by blood cancer. Throughout her distinguished career at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, she played a leading role in the treatment of patients undergoing stem cell transplantation while helping to advance research and innovation in haematology.

 

After graduating in medicine from the University of Galway, Dr. Conneally completed specialist haematology training at St. James’s Hospital before undertaking advanced clinical and research fellowships in Canada. She completed a PhD in Vancouver and worked with one of the world’s leading leukaemia and bone marrow transplant programmes before returning to Ireland as a Consultant Haematologist.

 

For over more than two decades, Dr. Conneally cared for thousands of patients with Leukaemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma and other blood disorders. Alongside her clinical work, she was actively involved in research, medical education and the development of stem cell transplantation services, helping to improve patient outcomes both nationally and internationally.

 

Now retired from clinical practice, Dr. Conneally continues her commitment to patients through her role as Board Secretary of the Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust. Drawing on her extensive experience, she provides invaluable clinical insight to the Board and helps guide the Trust’s mission of supporting patients and families, funding pioneering research and enhancing stem cell transplant services across Ireland.

 

Her lifelong commitment to compassionate care, clinical excellence and patient advocacy reflects the values at the heart of the Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust.

Supporting patients means caring for the whole person, not just treating their illness. Practical support, research and compassion all play a vital role in helping people through their transplant journey.

Elizabeth Higgins

Elizabeth Higgins
CAR-T Service and Programme Co-Ordinator

Elizabeth has dedicated more than 30 years to caring for people affected by blood cancer and advancing stem cell transplantation services in Ireland. Beginning her career in haematology nursing in Australia before returning to St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, she has held a number of key clinical and leadership roles, including Staff Nurse, Clinical Nurse Manager in the Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, and Stem Cell Transplant Coordinator.

 

Today, Elizabeth is the CAR-T Service and Programme Coordinator at St. James’s Hospital, where she played a leading role in establishing Ireland’s first Adult CAR-T Cell Therapy Programme. She continues to oversee the service, coordinating patient care throughout the treatment pathway while ensuring the programme meets the highest standards of quality and clinical excellence.

 

As a Board Member of the Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust, Elizabeth brings extensive clinical expertise and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by patients and families undergoing treatment. Her experience helps ensure the Trust continues to provide meaningful support while investing in research and innovation that improves patient outcomes.

 

Elizabeth is passionate about delivering compassionate, patient-centred care and believes that practical support, alongside world-class treatment, can make a lasting difference throughout the transplant journey.

Behind every treatment is a person, a family and a journey. By combining compassionate care with practical support, we can help patients face that journey with confidence and hope.

Professor Paul Browne

Prof. Paul Browne
Chair of the National Haemophilia Council

Professor Paul Browne is a Consultant Haematologist, educator and healthcare leader with more than 40 years of experience in patient care, medical research and clinical leadership. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, he completed specialist training in haematology before undertaking advanced clinical and research fellowships at the University of Minnesota, USA.

 

Following his appointment as Consultant Haematologist at St. James’s Hospital in 1996, Professor Browne specialised in the treatment of blood cancers, particularly leukaemia and myeloma, and led the development of the hospital’s Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Programme. Throughout his career, he has combined outstanding patient care with a strong commitment to research, education and innovation in haematology.

 

Professor Browne has held a number of national leadership roles, including Professor of Haematology and Head of the School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin. He also played a key role in establishing the Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute and has contributed extensively to healthcare governance, including serving as Chair of the National Haemophilia Council and as a Board Member of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

 

As a Board Member of the Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust, Professor Browne brings exceptional clinical expertise and strategic leadership. His experience helps guide the Trust’s commitment to supporting patients and families, advancing research and ensuring Ireland continues to deliver world-class stem cell transplant and blood cancer services.

Progress in blood cancer treatment depends on combining clinical excellence, research and compassionate patient support. Together, these are the foundations on which better outcomes are built.

Kevin Rooney - Bone MArrow Patient and Board Member of Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust

Kevin Rooney
Head of Marketing – Patient

Kevin brings over 16 years of experience in marketing and communications, helping organisations connect with their audiences through clear, engaging and purposeful messaging. In his current role with a leading Irish Managed Service Provider, he works closely with leadership teams to develop communication strategies that strengthen engagement, build trust and support long-term organisational goals.

 

What makes Kevin’s contribution to the Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust especially meaningful is his personal connection to its mission.

 

In 2010, Kevin received a life-saving stem cell transplant.

 

Having experienced the transplant journey first-hand, he understands the physical, emotional and practical challenges faced by patients and their families. His own experience gives him a unique perspective, ensuring that the voices of patients remain at the heart of the Trust’s work.

 

By combining professional expertise with lived experience, Kevin helps the Board communicate the Trust’s impact, strengthen engagement with supporters and ensure that every decision reflects the real needs of those affected by blood cancer.

 

Kevin is passionate about giving back to the community that supported him, helping to ensure future patients and their families receive the same care, hope and practical support that made such a difference during his own journey.

Receiving a stem cell transplant changed my life. Serving on the Board is my opportunity to give something back and to help ensure every patient and family feels supported throughout their own journey.


UNITED BY ONE MISSION

Our Trustees volunteer their time, expertise and leadership because they believe every person facing blood cancer deserves the very best treatment, support and hope for the future.

 

Whether through pioneering research, compassionate patient care, strategic leadership of lived experience, each Trustee plays a vital role in helping the Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust improve the lives of patients and families across Ireland.

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