Mayo and Donegal duo run marathon for Irish Kidney Association
THE Irish Life Dublin Marathon 2024 saw a remarkable gathering of individuals over the bank holiday weekend united by their experiences with organ failure, organ donation and transplantation, all stepping out on the course to raise awareness and funds for the Irish Kidney Association (IKA).
Among them were friends Carol Hegarty, from Ballina, and Lucia Byrne from The Glenties, Co. Donegal, who stepped out for the IKA in memory of Carol's late uncle, Ollie Hegarty, who was a kidney patient who passed away in 2022.
So far they have raised close to €2,000 for the Irish Kidney Association with donations to the GoFundMe online fundraising platform (https://shorturl.at/NeJbt).
Carol said: “People have been very generous and we are very grateful to all the people who have supported us. There is still time for others to donate to our fundraiser for this worthy cause.
“The Irish Kidney Association has a special place in the hearts of the Hegarty family as the hereditary condition polycystic kidney disease exists in our family. The kidney charity has helped family members gain access to vital treatment and supported us. Family members have had kidney transplants and extensive dialysis treatment.
“Unfortunately, we lost our Uncle Ollie Hegarty to the disease in January 2022 but the treatment he had helped him live a fulfilled life.”
She continued: “It was wonderful to have my Donegal friend Lucia's support for the fundraiser by running in the marathon with me, which was the second time for both of us to run the Dublin Marathon. Lucia works as a podiatrist in Stride Foot & Ankle Clinic in Donegal town.
“In May 2022, my family also did fundraiser for the Irish Kidney Association when my sister Marie Hegarty, who, like Lucia, is also a podiatrist, spearheaded the participation by our extended family - our dad and Oliver's other brothers, Oliver's sisters and nieces and nephews - in the Ballina River Moy Half Marathon, raising over €5,000 for the charity.”
Each participant running for the IKA donned a bright yellow t-shirt with its logo. As they converged in Dublin city from various parts of Ireland and abroad, their collective effort embodied the spirit of solidarity, raising funds to help those affected by kidney disease and organ donor awareness.