Barretstown Ceo Dee Ahearn honoured at Business 100 Event in New York

Dee Ahearn, CEO of Kildare charity Barretstown, Ireland’s largest and most established provider of therapeutic camps and programmes for children with cancer and other serious illnesses, was recently recognised as a Business 100 Honouree in New York City.

Irish America’s Business 100 honours the best and the brightest Irish and Irish American leaders, representing some of the most innovative and influential organisations in the world.

At the gala luncheon at the Metropolitan Club in New York in December, Ahearn was recognised for her contribution at the helm of Barretstown, which was founded by US Actor and Philanthropist Paul Newman and modelled on his famous ‘Hole In The Wall’ camps across America.

Since becoming CEO of Barretstown in 2010, Ahearn has increased the number of children and family members affected by cancer and other serious illnesses served by 1000%, with the charity now supporting 22,000 annually. Furthermore, under Ahearn’s leadership, fundraising income has grown from €4 million to over €10 million.

Commenting on this recognition, Dee Ahearn said: “I’m deeply honoured and grateful to be recognised as one of Irish America’s Business 100. It is a privilege to serve the children of Barretstown and for that to be recognised in the US among Irish and Irish American business leaders signifies the vital impact of Barretstown.

Since opening our gates over 30 years ago, Barretstown has provided vital support to more than 125,000 campers through our life-changing therapeutic programmes and all of this is only possible through what we do as a team. What has been achieved to date, is only possible because of the unwavering commitment of the team, who are dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of children and their families impacted by serious illness.”