Latest news with #IrishKidneyAssociation
Irish Independent
14-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
21-year-old Meath woman on dialysis hopes new digital donor card will save lives
The development comes just three weeks after the Department of Health commenced part two of the Human Tissue Act (transplantation), addressing the issue of consent for organ donation and highlighting the importance of sharing wishes with family. While the association previously offered a digital donor card app as well as the physical card, the new digital card can be added to apple and google wallets, making the use easier. Lana was born with bilateral kidney dysplasia and received a kidney transplant when she was four-years old, allowing her to experience childhood and most of her teenage years. The kidney began to fail in 2023 and she is now on the waiting list for a transplant while undergoing dialysis treatment three times a week for a period of 3.5 hours per session at Beaumont Hospital. Lana is hoping for the call about a suitable match from a deceased donor, and there is also the chance a matching living donor may be found. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have received a kidney transplant, and I hope this digital donor card initiative helps others understand the importance of organ donation. "This new card will make it easier for people to show their support and potentially save and transform lives, just as mine was,' Lana said. Under Ireland's new organ donation law, all adults will be considered potential organ donors unless they officially register their objection via the HSE Opt Out Register. In the event that someone is identified as a potential organ donor and has not registered their objection, family will be approached, and donation cannot proceed without their consent. Having an Organ Donor Card, including the new digital version, or code 115 on your driver's licence, acts as a clear reminder of the decision to consent to organ donation. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more As of the latest figures reported by the Department of Health, over 670 people are currently on waiting lists for organ transplants in Ireland. More than 80% of these are waiting for kidney transplants, while others are in urgent need of heart, lung, liver, or pancreas transplants. National advocacy and projects manager at the Irish Kidney Association, Colin White said: 'In now providing a digital Organ Donor Card, the Irish Kidney Association is embracing the latest technology that has become such an integral part of our daily lives. 'It's about keeping organ donation front of mind and giving hope to those who are waiting for a second chance at life.' White is encouraging the public to download the organ donor card available from the Irish Kidney Association website.
Irish Independent
10-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Wexford motorcycle club rallies behind mother facing significant health battle
The Gurriers MCC, a motorbike club founded in late 2024, is inviting bikers and supporters from all parts of the county and beyond to join them for a charity motorcycle run on Sunday, July 13 to raise funds for the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) and promote awareness of organ donation. This ride is inspired by the health journey of the mother of one of Gurriers bikers Jason Cullen. Pauline White, from Tottenham Green in Taghmon, has faced numerous medical challenges, and for three years has been undergoing dialysis treatment while hoping for a kidney transplant. In 2010, 29 weeks into her fifth pregnancy Pauline lost her baby boy due to a rare pregnancy disorder called Mirror Syndrome. This led to the discovery that the mother of four young children had only one kidney, and that it was functioning at just 25 per cent capacity and would require ongoing medical monitoring and treatment to try to postpone its decline. Since then, she has faced breast cancer, undergone chemotherapy and radiation, and chronic kidney disease. In 2022, Pauline began home dialysis treatment through the night, which has kept her alive but at a significant cost to her quality of life. Her eldest son Jason, 34, who lives in Enniscorthy, along with fellow Gurriers MCC bikers, felt compelled to take action with the club's first major fundraiser and help highlight her plight and other kidney patients in similar situations. Pauline's inspiring strength and resilience have led to the creation of this charity motorcycle run, which will see her take a prominent role as a passenger on a trike, driven by her devoted husband John White who ignited Jason's passion for motorbikes. The trike will lead the procession, followed by a convoy of motorbikes, all rallying together in support of a great cause and powerful display of love, unity, and community support. Jason said: 'My mother has shown great strength to all of our family including her husband John, their youngest son Jack and daughters Lisa and Gemma. She is also loved by her four grandchildren, Lola and Kaiden Cullen, and Ella and Gracie Mai White. We are hugely proud of her. She undergoes dialysis through the night and then goes to work as a carer every day. She often suffers with sickness and severe fatigue due to her condition. She has low immunity to infection and has lots of dietary and fluid restrictions. Her freedom to travel is also restricted and requires lots of planning." "For holidays or overnight away stays she has to bring her dialysis machine and medical supplies with her. Several members of our family have been screened for kidney donation but are not suitable. However, we've just received the good news that one of her sisters, who was the most recent to be tested, is a suitable donor. We are hoping to receive notice from Beaumont Hospital soon that the living donor transplant operations will proceed. A kidney transplant would greatly improve my mother's quality of life,' he added. He said it was fitting that his mother will be participating in the run as they hope to show support for everybody in a similar situation. In summing up Jason said: 'This event is more than just a motorcycle spectacle, it's an opportunity to support the Irish Kidney Association, provide vital services to kidney patients and their families and raise awareness for organ donation. Whether you're a local rider or joining from further away, the Gurriers MCC welcomes all bikers to experience the beauty of the 'Model County', all while making a difference in the lives of people like my mother Pauline.' The charity motorcycle run in aid of the IKA on Sunday, July 13, will kick off at Taghmon Camross GAA Club, with registration beginning at 11 a.m. for a fee of €20 per bike which includes automatic entry to a prize raffle. Riders will set off at 12 p.m., embarking on a scenic tour of Wexford, passing through New Ross, Clonroche, Enniscorthy, Wexford town, before returning to the starting point for a post-ride celebration at 2 p.m. for riders and supporters including commentator DJ Paddy O'Hanlon. The event which is open to all to attend promises to showcase a stunning array of motorcycles, including Harley Davidsons and custom bikes. After the ride, participants and supporters are invited to enjoy refreshments at Taghmon GAA Club and buy a raffle ticket for some great prizes. Members of the Wexford IKA branch will be there to support the event also. The event marks the beginning of the Gurriers MCC's commitment to giving back to the community. The club welcomes new members who share their passion for motorcycles, adventure, camaraderie and the open road while having a positive impact in the community. Those who cannot make the event, but would like to show support can donate through the official online fundraiser on idonate.
Irish Independent
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
See photos of riders and volunteers at start of ‘most successful' Ring of Kerry Cycle 2025
Though the many participants of the 180km event did not enjoy ideal weather all the way along the route, the vast majority battled through to complete the testing cycle. They were rewarded for their efforts as the home stretch back to Killarney was soaked in glorious sunshine, and riders were greeted by music and celebrations at the Beech Road car park. This year's event was dedicated to the late Paddy O'Donoghue (78), who died in a road collision last month while cycling in Kilgarvan. Mr O'Donoghue had been a fierce supporter of the cycle since it was established and participated in the event a total of 39 times. The late Mr O'Donoghue rode the event for many charities, as did the participants of this year's cycle. Among those who did the event this year were Olympic gold medalist Sonia O'Sullivan, who was riding for Breakthrough Cancer Research, and Anto 'Butch' Cronin, who took on the route on a penny-farthing to celebrate his 50th birthday. Eithne Murphy, from Castleisland, rode the Ring in aid of the Irish Kidney Association, the original beneficiary of the event. Ms Murphy cycled in gratitude for the kidney transplant her father and grandfather of five, Ted Murphy who lives in Gneeveguilla, received 12 years ago. Popular Killarney woman Bernie O'Sullivan (80), who has volunteered with the Irish Kidney Association since the first Ring of Kerry Cycle in 1982, crossed the finish line of the event on a novelty bicycle that was ridden around the route by a charity volunteer. The final amount raised by all the cyclists will be revealed at a special presentation in October. Cathal Walshe, Ring of Kerry Cycle PRO, told The Kerryman that organisers hope that at least €1 million has been raised for Irish charities by the participants of this year's event. Mr Walshe said experienced riders at the event told him that it remains the best charity cycle in the country. ADVERTISEMENT 'They said nothing comes close to the Ring of Kerry Cycle,' he said. 'And they were so well catered for by the line of food in Cahersiveen, Kenmare and Killarney on the way back that people actually put on weight rather than losing it!' Mr Walshe thanked the roughly 1,200 volunteers who were involved in road safety, catering and more, whose help was crucial to running such a successful event. 'It was a most successful Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle,' he said.
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Tipperary man on dialysis to tackle Ring of Kerry cycle to aid of Irish Kidney Association
A 48-year-old cyclist from Templemore in County Tipperary is gearing up for the second year in a row for the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, this time while on nightly home dialysis. Francis Hogan is riding on Saturday, July 5, to raise awareness of organ failure and funds for the Irish Kidney Association via his iDonate page.
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Tipperary cyclist to tackle Ring of Kerry inspired by a relative's kidney transplant journey
Today at 05:07 This weekend, Nicola Maunsell from Clonmel, will swap her running shoes for cycling cleats as she takes on the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, raising vital funds for the Irish Kidney Association (IKA), the charity that supported a relative of hers. Nicola, a mother of two and a proud member of Clonmel Cycling Club, is taking on the 170-kilometre route around one of Ireland's most scenic landscapes inspired by her husband Declan's brother-in-law, Mike Fennessy, from Cahir, who has undergone two kidney transplants, his first more than three decades ago from a deceased donor just before he got married to Declan's sister Carmel, and the most recent was generously donated by his goddaughter and niece Katie Daughen in December 2024.
