Laois men to run for organ donation
Transplant Team Ireland arrived home at the weekend after putting in an impressive performance at the 7th European Transplant & Dialysis Games which were held in Zagreb, Croatia from 18th - 25th August. The Irish team of 17 men and 9 women were among 300 athletes from 28 countries from throughout Europe competing in the Games which celebrate life through sport. The brave athletes, ranging in age from 18 to 74, brought home an impressive haul of medals including ? Gold, ? Silver and ? Bronze from the Games which secured them 3rd position on the medals table. They were greeted to a rousing reception at Dublin Airport's Terminal Two by family, friends and supporters who followed their progress throughout the Games on the Team Blog www.transplantteamireland.wordpress.com Pic: Angela Halpin ****No Repro Fee****
Two of Laois’ medal winners in the recent European Transplant & Dialysis Games are taking part in another race, this time to highlight organ donation, and raise much needed funds for the IKA.
Niall McAuliffe from Abbeyleix and Robbie Lyons from The Swan along with their family and friends will participate in the Irish Kidney Association’s Run for a Life fun run, this Saturday, October 13 at Park West Business Park.
Coinciding with European Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation, the event offers people of all ages and levels of fitness an opportunity to take part by walking, jogging or running either a 3.4km, 6.7km or 10km route, or a 3x 3.3km relay race.
Niall receives dialysis treatment at Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore. Among his family joining him in a relay run is his sister Anne.
“Anne donated a kidney to my older brother Eddie a few years ago. She went on to give birth to a healthy baby daughter Leila last year. We hope that we can help highlight the plight of people with organ failure as well as the wonderful legacy of organ donation which touches so many lives.” he said.
Robbie received a kidney transplant in 2009 and is a keen multi discipline athlete, now also busy studying for his Leaving Cert.
“I am looking forward to taking part in Run for a Life as a way of honouring my organ donor who has given this opportunity to celebrate life through sport,” he said.
During the recent European games, Niall won a Gold and Silver medal in darts and bowling and Robbie, the youngest member of Transplant Team Ireland, secured four silver and one bronze medal in track and field events. Teammate Alison Honner from Pike of Rushall was awarded the title of ‘Best Female Dialysis Athlete on Dialysis’ at the Games for demonstrating great spirit and determination. She won a silver medal in bowling, bronze in badminton and a category gold medal in a bowling doubles event.
Last Wednesday, a presentation was made to the three athletes honouring their great achievements by the Laois branch of the IKA.
For registration and further details log on to: www.runforalife.ie
For organ donor cards Freetext DONOR to 50050 or LoCall 1890 543639. Smart phone users can download the ‘Organ Donor E-card’ app.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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