ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS WEEK

SPRING
2008
Please Support
ORGAN DONOR
AWARENESS WEEK
29th March - 5th April
lebrating 30 Y
e
C
ea r
s 197 8-200 8
IRISH KIDNEY ASSOCIATION, DONOR HOUSE,
BLOCK 43A, PARK WEST, DUBLIN 12.
Phone: 01-6205306. Fax: 01-6205366
Lo-Call: 1890-KIDNEY (1890-543639) info@ika.ie www.ika.ie
EDITORIAL
M
ay I begin by thanking
over 550 of you for
taking the time to
complete and return
our Patient Questionnaire. We are
busy processing the data which we
know will make interesting reading
when completed.
World Kidney Day has been an
interesting time and the reports in
the magazine will bring you up to
speed on these early detection ideas
which the UK health service are
taking very seriously. The UK
General Practitioners are now
conducting tests on all people who
could potentially develop high risk
chronic kidney disease (CKD). There
is strong proof that early detection
of CKD can lead to treatment that
will slow the progression of the
disease leading to kidney failure.
Hopefully, our small initiative will
highlight the prospects for the
health systems potential to further
explore screening programmes for
kidney disease.
SPRING
2008
Please Support
ORGAN DONOR
AWARENESS WEEK
l
29th March - 5th Apri
lebrating 30 Yea
Ce
rs 197 8-200 8
R HOUSE,
CIATION, DONO
IRISH KIDNEY ASSO
WEST, DUBLIN 12.
BLOCK 43A, PARK
01-6205366
Phone: 01-6205306. Fax:
www.ika.ie
(1890-543639) info@ika.ie
DNEY
1890-KI
Lo-Call:
FRONT COVER:
Ryan Tubridy, RTE’s popular TV
and radio presenter, has kindly
offered his services once again
(free gratis) to front our Organ Donor
Awareness Week 2008 campaign.
2
IKA
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U P P O R T
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P R I N G
2008
There seems to be little if any
money about in the HSE to expand
and improve dialysis services in
2008. So much for the planned
approach imbedded in the National
Renal Review. The fire fighting
approach to exhausted dialysis
centres seems destined to continue.
The HSE have delivered
commercial dialysis units in a
confusing manner. None of the five
commercial units are working from
the tender process. All are working
on temporary contracts (Service
Level Agreements).
Staffing of the hospital units is
now the biggest problem across the
country. The capacity of a dialysis
unit can be determined in a number
of ways. The amount of stations is
an obvious way, but without
adequate staff you cannot maximise
how often you can use the stations.
Along the west coast from Tralee to
Letterkenny, employing trained
Renal Staff is clearly the biggest
problem. In Limerick they have
exhausted the unit’s capacity
altogether and the HSE are
confident they will have extra
capacity in a new commercial unit
which they say will be up and
running in Limerick by the end of
the year. This is a year too late
for all the new patients who
have to travel to Galway from
the Limerick catchment area.
The embargo on employment
is over but it has been replaced
by, what in reality is, the same
result by a different name. As
many patients are travelling
from the Midlands to Dublin as
are travelling from Limerick to
Galway. Letterkenny is now
sending patients across the
border to Omagh - fine if it is
their nearest dialysis unit. Six of
the Limerick patients are
travelling together in a mini bus.
One gentleman’s dialysis day is
now twelve hours long by the
time he is collected and has
criss-crossed the highways and
byways. He receives a sandwich
before and after dialysis
treatment. This is simply
unacceptable. Many more
ridiculous patient travel stories
are emerging.
In this “patient centred”
Health Service Executive, that
now controls all things renal,
nothing, it seems, matters more
now than the “budget”. This is
evident in all parts of the HSE
although you will see only a
small increase in dialysis patients
for 2007, 2.5%, there is no
increase in the Renal Budgets to
cope with this rise of about 40
dialysis patients.
Minister for State in the
Department of Health and
Children, Pat ‘The Cope’
Gallagher will represent the
Minister for Health at the launch
of Organ Donor Awareness
Week in the Mansion House on
Tuesday 25th March, 2008.
Congratulations to Deborah
Lynch, Holiday Co-ordinator in
Donor House, on her recent
engagement to her long-time
boyfriend Mark. We wish them
every happiness in their future
together.
Shortly I will be sending every
branch raffle tickets for a car
which has been donated to the
Association via Monica Finn,
Roscommon branch. The draw
will take place on Friday 31st
October, 2008 and we hope
that every branch will participate
in selling tickets.
Hopefully the weather will be
kind to us throughout Organ
Donor Awareness Week and
many thanks, in advance, to all
of you who volunteer to help us
during the week.
NEW IKA LOGO
Dr. George Mellotte, Nephrologist,
St. James’s and Tallaght hospitals,
and President of the Irish Nephrology
Society, has been a wonderful ally to
the IKA over the last year. He has
given of his time extensively, from
World Kidney Day, a year ago in
Buswells, to the Associations’
Conference at the AGM in June,
Chairing the European Day for Organ
Donation & Transplantation in
October, including writing an article
for SUPPORT magazine, to World
Kidney Day, once again this year.
George, the Board and staff are
most grateful for your ongoing
support and encouragement in our
joint advocacy of kidney patients.
lebrating 30 Y
e
C
ea r
s 197 8-200 8
We have developed this special logo to mark our
celebration of 30 years, since our foundation in 1978 at a
meeting in Jervis Street Hospital. If you would like a
printable version of the logo for branch use please contact
the office and we will forward it to you.
IKA
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U P P O R T
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P R I N G
2008
3
CAR MAGNET
FORGET-ME-NOT BROOCH
FORGET-ME-NOT FLOWER
ORGAN DONOR
AWARENESS WEEK
29TH MARCH-5TH APRIL
O
ften new patients and predialysis patients don’t
know how to get involved
in
Organ
Donor
Awareness Week. The message we
need to get to people is primarily
“Please choose to Carry the Organ
IRISH DONOR NETWORK
Donor Card and talk to your family
IKA, Donor House, Park West, Dub
lin 12.
Phone: 1890-543639.
about it.”
We have been promoting organ
donor awareness for the last 30 years and, somewhere along the way,
people also wanted to donate money to the Association when we were
distributing donor cards. As a result we chose to sell items of organ
awareness significance. It started with the ‘Forget-Me-Not’ flower (€2.00)
which is now a national symbol for organ donation. The brown stick of
wood represents the failed organ, the bandage on the graft with the new
flower symbolises the transplanted life-giving organ.
The ‘keyring’ donor card (€2.00) was the second item introduced. The
€3.00 small metal brooch came next and after a pilot last year we have the
€3.00 magnetic car ribbon available nationwide. Green is the international
colour for organ donation on ribbons and plastic
wristbands so it was a natural choice for us.
The Branch Secretaries would love to
hear from patients, carers, family
and friends of patients who
would be willing to give up
some part of the week to
help us distribute organ donor
cards and to promote our
merchandise. This is our only
national fundraising event so
please do consider volunteering your
time.
All names and phone numbers for Branch Secretaries
are listed on Page 31 of this magazine
4
IKA
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U P P O R T
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P R I N G
2008
WORLD KIDNEY DAY
Report by
ALISON LARKIN
National Development
Officer, IKA
W
orld Kidney Day took place
on Thursday 13th March
2008. In Ireland, we have
adopted a ‘Wellness/Know Your
Kidney’ project to mark World Kidney
Day.
The focus of this early detection
campaign is to highlight the increasing
global pandemic of kidney disease and
emphasise the importance of early
detection in slowing the progress of
kidney diseases. It is estimated that
approximately 10% of the Irish
population have some form of kidney
disease.
In advance of the event this year,
the Irish Kidney Association and the
Irish Nephrology Society jointly hosted
a pilot scheme of screening clinics for
the staff in South Dublin County
Council and RTE over four days.
Participating employees had their age,
height, weight and blood pressure
recorded along with a finger prick
blood test for creatinine to establish
their estimated Glomerular Filtration
Rate (eGFR). The confidential results
were available, within five minutes of
the blood test, to all those who
availed of the free screening, due to
our use of a new creatinine testing
machine.
The World Kidney Day screening crew at the end of the day
in RTE Studios, Montrose
The testing was supervised by Dr.
George Mellotte, President of the Irish
Nephrology Society and Renal
Consultant at Tallaght and St. James'
Hospitals along with members of his
team. The whole testing process takes
only a few minutes.
It is hoped that the results will be
included (anonymously) in a group
statistical analysis of all the tests
undertaken.
Without the co-operation of South
Dublin County Council and RTE we
could not have undertaken this pilot
scheme.
IKA
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U P P O R T
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P R I N G
2008
A big thank you to all those who
participated especially the nurses from
Tallaght Hospital, Valerie, Maura,
Glenda, and Fiona, from St. Vincent’s
Hospital, Emer, and from the Mater
Hospital, Lhamotsering, Emmanuel
and Mary Corliss from Unitech,
without whose most grateful
assistance we in Donor House could
not have managed such a venture.
To one and all my sincere thanks.
5
WORLD KIDNEY DAY
T
he European Kidney Patients’
Federation (CEAPIR) has formed
an alliance with the Nephrologists
from the European Renal Association
(ERA) with the International Society of
Nephrology (ISN) and the European
Renal
Nurses
&
Allied
Renal
Professionals (EDTNA/ERCA).
The co-operation is called the
European Kidney Health Alliance (EKHA)
6
IKA
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U P P O R T
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P R I N G
2008
and was formed to promote kidney
health in the European Union. I wrote
about this in last Summers edition of
SUPPORT.
To promote and launch World Kidney
Day in Europe the Alliance held a
Symposium on March 4th, 2008, in the
European Parliament, entitled ‘Chronic
Kidney Disease - Europe’s Silent
Epidemic - A Wake Up Call’.
European Launch
I represent the European patients as
CEAPIR’s representative in the Alliance
and was proud and delighted to put
forward our own VALERIE TWOMEY,
from Cork, to speak for renal patients,
at the Symposium.
Valerie spoke at the IKA’s Annual
General Meeting in June ‘07. She is a
former manager in the hotel industry.
Valerie was diagnosed with End Stage
Renal Failure in 2003 after living with
diabetes for over 25 years. Valerie
underwent both peritoneal and
haemodialysis and in June 2006 was
given a life-saving gift of a kidney
transplant. Valerie is actively involved
with the Cork Branch of the IKA and
will be representing Ireland at the 5th
European Transplant and Dialysis
Games in September 2008.
Valerie was in some very
distinguished company and the
testament of the success of her
presentation at the Symposium is the
follow-on invitations she is receiving
to speak at more conferences around
Europe.
Other speakers were: PROFESSOR
ANDREW REES, Chairman of the
European Kidney Health Alliance since
its inception is currently Marie Curie
Professor at the Institute of Clinical
Pathology, Medical University of
Vienna.
FRIEDA BREPOELS, MEP, is
currently working as EPP-ED shadow
rapporteur on ‘Organ Donation and
Transplantation: Policy Actions at EU
level’.
KAREN JENKINS, Renal Nurse is
Past President and founding member
of ANSA (Anaemia Nurse Specialist
Association). She is a founding
member of the CKD forum, a project
group of the British Renal Society and
is current chair of EDTNA/ERCA CKD
interest group.
PROFESSOR PAUL E. DE JONG,
Professor in Nephrology, University
Medical Center, Groningen, Netherlands is head of the department of
Nephrology of the Groningen
University Medical Center in the
Netherlands.
He is the co-ordinator of the
PREVEND
study,
running
in
Groningen, in which a large cohort of
subjects is followed for the
development
of
renal
and
cardiovascular diseases.
DR. DONAL O’DONOGHUE, was
appointed as National Clinical Director
for Kidney Care in the UK in January
2007. He has been on numerous
kidney service advisory groups and has
championed the integration of kidney
care into general vascular risk
reduction strategies and care plans.
Above:
Valerie Twomey and
Dr. Donal O’Donoghue.
Right:
Dr. Donal O’Donoghue,
Professor Paul E. de Jong,
Karen Jenkins, Valerie Twomey,
Frieda Brepoels and
Professor Andrew Rees
10
II K
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U PP PP O
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PP R
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2
20
00
08
8
7
CHRONIC DIALYSIS CAPACITY AND ACTIVITY - 31/12/07
HSE AREA
Hospital
and
Dialysis Centre
DUBLIN NORTH
Mater
Beaumont
Cavan
Northern Cross
Newry
DUBLIN MID-LEINSTER
Tallaght
St. Vincent’s
Beacon
Tullamore
SOUTH
Cork
Tralee
Wellstone Kilkenny
Waterford
WEST
Sligo
Letterkenny
Galway
Wellstone Galway
Mayo
Limerick
Omagh
ADULT TOTALS
F
irstly may I thank Fidelma McHale,
of the HSE, for providing us with
the most up-to-date statistics for
dialysis patients. 1520 adult patients
were receiving dialysis treatment on
the 31st of December, the smallest
yearly rise that we have seen in a long
time 2.5%. There has been a 15%
drop in patients on peritoneal dialysis
which is also surprising. The PD
patients now represent only 12.6% of
all dialysis patients. My question is, is
No. of
haemodialysis
patients
74
182
54
31
6
103
68
86
57
142
42
50
96
44
60
79
16
50
87
1
1328
No. of
peritoneal
patients
15
44
0
0
0
49
19
0
0
23
0
0
12
0
0
16
0
0
14
0
192
Total
dialysis
patients
89
226
54
31
6
152
87
86
57
165
42
50
108
44
60
95
16
50
101
1
1520
this reflecting patients’ or Consultants’
choices? The debate on that subject is
always interesting. There are 8 hospital
centres offering PD.
There are now 20 haemodialysis
centres available to treat our patients.
16 are hospital based, of which two
are in the North and four commercial
facilities which treat 183 patients or
13.8% of all haemodialysis patients.
The only development evident on
the radar screens is the commercial
NO. OF PATIENTS ON DIALYSIS
No. of
dialysis
stations
12
24
9
14
N/A
12
16
30
10
17
12
11
13
9
9
12
14
9
11
N/A
237
No. of
isolation
stations
1
2
1
2
N/A
2
0
1
2
1
0
1
4
2
2
2
2
2
1
N/A
28
Haemo
patients
per station
5.69
7.00
5.40
1.94
N/A
7.36
4.25
2.77
4.75
7.88
3.50
4.16
5.65
4.00
5.45
5.64
1.00
4.55
7.25
N/A
facility in Limerick. No precise news is
available about it yet but a planning
application is expected any day now.
The second dialysis unit, in Kilkenny,
has now received planning permission
and you can expect an interesting
contest to see who manages to secure
the long-term business there.
Hopefully, the patients will be
consulted as part of this process.
The big development in Cork is not
expected until 2009.
2001 TO 2007
1750
No. of Patients
1500
1522
1540
1500
1429
1313
1250
1364
1210
1106
1043
1000
966
925
893
750
Feb. ‘02 July ‘02 June ‘03 Dec. ‘03 June ‘04 Dec. ‘04 June ‘05 Dec ‘05 June ‘06 Dec ‘06 June ‘07 Dec ‘07
8
IKA
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U P P O R T
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P R I N G
2008
There is no doubt that the days of
having 9 or 10 patients per station are
behind us. Frustrations are running
high over long journey times for
some, but others have seen their times
dramatically shortened, particularly by
the development in Kilkenny.
The figures never tell us how many
new patients commenced dialysis in
the year. These types of figures will be
available someday - when we have a
renal registry.
There is no doubt the growth in the
amount of people on dialysis has
slowed down. I have no explanation
for this. I am reminded by some that
we have the youngest population in
Europe, because of our emigration in
the 50’s-70’s, which would affect our
comparisons with our European
neighbours.
The paediatric patient figures were
not available when going to press so I
am going to use the figure ‘20’ as my
guestimate of the paediatric patients
in order to complete my yearly graph
of patients.
A ‘mixed year’ for organ transplants
The liver transplant numbers were down slightly by 6
on the previous year. This is after 3 successive record
breaking years of transplantation. St. Vincents carried out
its 500th liver transplant during the course of 2007.
Heart transplantation at 7 was half of the 2006 figure
and lungs went from 9 in 2006 – to 4 in 2007. Heart and
lungs are the hardest organs to match. They have to be
absolutely perfect before a transplant can be carried out.
The first Cystic Fibrosis lung transplant, carried out in
Ireland, was one of the 4 lung transplants in 2007. The UK
still conduct lung transplants on behalf of Irish patients.
In total 214 people received organ transplants in 2007
in Ireland, of which 7 had two organs transplanted at the
same time.
W
e had an above average year for organ donors
with 88 families who gave the ‘gift of life’ from
their loved ones. Seven of the donors were
not of Irish origin which reflects our now multicultural
society.
This generosity transferred into 141 deceased donor
kidney transplants, 59 liver, 7 heart and 4 lung
transplants. There were 5 pancreas transplanted
simultaneously with a kidney transplant. Two of the liver
transplants were also conducted simultaneously with a
kidney transplant.
Five more kidney transplants were conducted via living
donors making a total of 146 kidney transplants in Ireland
in 2007, the same numbers as 2006.
The ORGAN DONOR Consent Debate
– ‘Informed’ versus ‘Presumed’ –
This statement was issued to the Press in January by the Irish Kidney
Association to address the recent media coverage on a statement by the
UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown who advocates ‘presumed consent’ for
Organ Donation.
the Spanish Model of transplantation
he Irish Kidney Association wish
as a basis for its arguments.
to clarify and explain its stance
When you look at the Spanish
that ‘informed consent’ should
Model for Organ Donation you see the
remain as the Irish position for organ
best figures in the world. The Spanish
donation with modifications and
have a presumed consent law – but
investment in donor co-ordinators.
they do not use it in practice. This is
Since Gordon Brown’s announcethe reality on the coalface in all
ment in January, the UK Department
European countries with ‘presumed
of Health published a report from their
consent’ laws. It is unworkable and no
Organ Donation taskforce with 16
intensivists (people working in
recommendations for changes to
intensive care units) are prepared to go
improve Organ Donation in the UK by
against the wishes of the next of kin,
50% over the next five years. These
regardless of the laws of the land. The
changes do not include moving to
Spanish have a similar “refusal to
‘presumed consent’ which the
donate” rate of 15% to Ireland. What
taskforce will now examine and report
they have that we do not have, is fully
on in the summer of 2008.
trained “Donor Co-ordinators” in
Imbedded in this report are
every acute hospital. These people are
changes and improvements for the
active in looking for organ donor
UK, many of which could be adopted
opportunities
throughout
their
by the Irish Health Service.
hospital, not just the Intensive Care
The lobby debate in Ireland on
Unit but also the Accident and
‘presumed consent’ is incorrectly using
T
IKA
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U P P O R T
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2008
Gordon Brown
Emergency, high dependancy and
other departments. The Spanish know
that this is what is making their donor
rates the largest in the world – not the
unworkable law. The other good
donating countries, Austria and
Belgium, have also adopted the
Spanish Model of Organisation. Their
people equally agree that it is not the
change in the law rather the change in
Clinical Practice that has made the
difference in improving organ donor
numbers.
MARK MURPHY
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
9
NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...N
Irish Kidney Association receives
donation from Hospital Saturday Fund
T
he Irish Kidney Association was
the beneficiary of a donation
from The Hospital Saturday Fund
Charitable Trust at an event in the
Mansion House recently.
National Development Officer,
Alison Larkin (pictured right) received
donation of €1,500 for the IKA, from
Vice-President of the Fund and The
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Paddy
Bourke.
Alison welcomed the donation as a
valuable contribution to the IKA.
HSF Health Plan, the trading
company of the Hospital Saturday
Fund, is Ireland’s leading health cash
plan operator, providing over 100,000
Irish contributors with cash towards
everyday medical costs, including
routine GP, dental and optical visits,
hospital admissions, complementary
medicine and personal injury.
Over 500 organisations, in Ireland,
from the voluntary, public and private
sectors, offer HSF Health Plan to their
staff.
As a not-for-profit organisation,
any surplus funds from HSF Health
Plan are returned to the community
through the Charity.
HOLIDAYS ‘08
TRAMORE
HOLIDAY DIALYSIS
ABROAD
S
pring is upon us once again and the Tramore holiday
season is soon to commence. Our four holiday
apartments will be available from May to October.
Tramore application forms have been sent out to CAPD
Units, Social Workers and Branch Secretaries.
There is a huge demand for holidays every year that far
exceeds the supply so could I please ask you to complete
the form and return it to Donor House, Block 43A
Parkwest, Dublin 12 as soon as possible.
If you are considering a
holiday in foreign parts it is
vital that arrangements for
your dialysis treatment are made well in advance of
booking your flights and accommodation.
Your first port of call should be either to contact a
member of staff in your dialysis unit or you can contact
me directly at Donor House. I’ll be delighted to advise you
on what needs to be done and I will help with making
arrangements for your dialysis treatment.
Please ensure that you DO NOT
book a holiday before making
arrangements for your dialysis
treatment.
Any patients, who would like advice
or assistance in organising holiday
dialysis abroad, can contact me at
Donor House on 01-6205306 / Lo-Call:
(1890-543639) or at deborah@ika.ie
DEBORAH LYNCH
TRALEE HOLIDAY HOME
The Irish Kidney Association will be
providing a 7 night haemodialysis holiday
break in Tralee, Co. Kerry. Haemodialysis
treatment will be provided by Kerry General
Hospital and we thank them for providing
this most necessary service.
The application forms have been sent to
Dialysis Units, Social Workers and Branch
Secretaries. Please complete the form and
return to Donor House as soon as possible.
10
IKA
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U P P O R T
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P R I N G
2008
‘DOORWAYS’
By MIKE KELLY
H
ave you ever thought about
doorways? You, like me,
probably have not given it
much thought. Yet if we spend a
moment thinking about it, part of
every day is spent going through
doorways. When we leave the house
we leave by the door. When we get to
our place of work, or our destination,
we enter the building through the
door and perhaps have to go through
several doors to reach our office or
place of work. Going home we repeat
the process. Each day doorways
provide us with an entrance to, and an
exit from, places we need to be.
Think for a moment about the
image of a door. One way to think
about it is to see it as allowing us
access to somewhere yet, at the same
time, blocking that access. To gain
access we must open the door.
Sometimes we walk away from the
door. At other times we may linger at
the door, hand on the handle
apprehensive about opening it as if we
fear something on the other side. Or
we may open the door with ease
knowing that what is behind the door
is welcomed. The door can also be
thought about as marking the end of
one thing and the beginning of
another.
Someone once said that it is at
doorways that the truth is told. This
may seem quite puzzling, but give it
some thought and it makes quite a bit
of sense. This thought and image is
particularly apt if we think about it in
the context of the traumas and
challenges we face in life.
None of us are immune from
trauma. Whether that trauma is, the
loss of someone close and dear, a
threat to life or health, loss of
livelihood or a shattering of our
dreams and hopes. At some point in
our lives all of us have to face a
challenge, a trauma, something that
will stop us in our tracks. At this
moment we are faced with a choice.
How we respond to what is
happening? This moment is our
lingering at the door. Do we stay put,
try to ignore or deny it? Do we place
our hand on the handle wanting to
turn it but afraid of what lies beyond?
Or do we firmly take the handle; go
through the door in the knowledge
that we have to face what is there.
All of us face these choices. How we
respond will, in part, be dependent on
who we are, how we view ourselves,
whether we believe we have the
confidence or strength to face what
needs to be faced and whether we are
open enough to receive the support
and strength of others.
Each one of us is unique. We each
have our own personality and
character which may have similarities
to but never be the same as another’s.
We each have a history, again unique
to each one. Our history is as much a
part of our today as it is our yesterday.
It is, along with the experiences
gathered through life, the lens
through which we view the world, and
it is this that will in many ways dictate
how we will respond to or avoid the
traumas and challenges life presents to
us.
The doorways we encounter are
both physical and psychological. They
offer both challenge and opportunity.
The challenge is; what to do? Do we
linger hand on the handle unsure
whether to risk opening the door.
Opening the door provides the
opportunity, entering into something
new, different, perhaps difficult and
demanding but ultimately something
that will - often with help - lead to a
more integral sense of self, to renewed
relationships with others and with
strength to face the challenges life
brings.
IKA COUNSELLING SERVICE
T
he Irish Kidney Association provides a free and confidential
counselling service to patients, their families and carers,
either through their Counsellor Mike Kelly, based at Donor
House, or through a national network of registered local
counsellors.
If, as a patient, family member or carer, you feel it would be of
benefit to you to speak to a counsellor or if you would like a
referral to a counsellor in your local area contact Mike at Donor
House on Lo-Call 1890-543639 or by e-mail: mike@ika.ie
IKA
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U P P O R T
S
P R I N G
2008
11
IKA Renal
Support Centre
I
hope
everyone
is
keeping well and to
those I met over the
past few months that
received transplants I trust
you are living life to the
full.
Refurbishment work is
continuing throughout
the Support Centre. It
started
with
the
bedrooms,
and
will
continue throughout the
rest of the building as the
year goes by. We remain
opened and I hope
disturbance has been kept to a minimum for our existing
residents and patients.
May I take this opportunity to thank all the families
and patients who fundraised on our behalf last year, and
who continue to do so, it truly is appreciated.
We are still having on-going problems with car
parking and we are trying to help and deal with as many
queries as possible daily. We try to ensure that residents
and patients are prioritised first. May I just remind people
that ‘NO’ swipe cards are issued for parking only.
May I wish all the newly transplanted patients best
wishes and to all those newly diagnosed patients who
called into the Centre, it was lovely to meet you.
All renal patients, their families and carers, who are
attending outpatient appointments in any Dublin
hospital should note that the Centre is opened Monday
to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm (closed for lunch). Please do
call in for a tour and a cuppa you will be most welcome.
Best wishes to all.
MARGARET O’CONNOR
Manager
Michael Fitzgibbon
– An Appreciation
BY RAY RYAN
W
hen you first met Michael, you saw this tall,
Bandon man with a broad smile, and when
he shook your hand you knew that the
warmth of his smile came straight from the heart.
Michael’s involvement with the dialysis movement
came about as his late wife “Nellie” was a home
dialysis patient.
He was the first Chairman of the “Artificial Kidney
Patients’ Association” which was founded in Cork, in
the early seventies, primarily to cater as a social outlet
for patients attached to St. Finbarr’s Hospital Dialysis
Unit, later to become the Cork branch of the Irish
Kidney Association on its formation.
Michael brought with him his managerial expertise
and it was not long before a wide range of activities
were being catered for to improve the life of dialysis
patients. He was always willing to give his hard pressed
time whilst having to care for his wife as well as looking
after his young family. You could say of Michael that it
was “What can I do for the Association rather than
what the Association can do for me.” This attitude
earned him many friends, not only in Cork and
Munster, but also at national level. This was evident
when he was elected as the second National Chairman
of the IKA.
As a result of Michael’s involvement, at all levels, our
Association now stands on a very firm footing and the
benefits to patients are many and varied.
Michael will be missed by his many countless friends
around the country but those who will miss him most
are his wife and family, and it is to them we extend our
condolences and deepest sympathies.
Michael you may be gone but not forgotten.
A raibh de dheis a anim dhilis.
12
IKA
S
U P P O R T
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P R I N G
2008
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
My First Six Months...
W
hat a year it has been so far. Firstly, I would like to thank those Branches that invited me to meet them over the
last few months. It has been great to meet members around the Country, to get to know everyone a bit better,
putting names to faces and helping out where asked. I look forward to meeting more of you during 2008 and
to receiving some more invites to branch meetings.
As you can see from the Sports Section I started off the year by bringing a team (which
included myself) to ‘Nice’ to participate in the 10k Prom Classic in Nice, France on the
6th January this year. An invitation was extended to the Irish Kidney Association by
Georges Marioli of the Association International Des Lions Clubs. It was not one
of my best runs but the atmosphere and meeting the other teams definitely
made the event worth participating in and I hope to get the opportunity to do
it again.
Following Nice I found myself in Vienna in February, presenting on behalf
of the European Kidney Patients’ Federation (CEAPIR), to kidney and heart
transplant surgeons and doctors. I spoke from the patient perspective on ‘Life
After Renal Transplant - Expectations & Experiences’, which was well received
by all who attended.
The last number of weeks my focus has been on ‘World Kidney Day’ which
you can read about in this issue and which was very successful.
I would like to thank those Branches who put in a lot of hard work and effort
into writing pieces about their branch for the IKA Website. Much work is involved
in setting up these links and is being worked on at present. Hopefully, all going to
plan you will see your Branch links up on the web before the next issue of SUPPORT.
Congratulations to the Cork branch on their Information Day held in ‘Nemo Rangers’
on Saturday 8th March. Guest speakers included our own Mike Kelly and Colin White along
with Mr. David Hickey (Director of Kidney & Pancreas Transplantation, Beaumont Hospital), Dr. Liam Plant (Consultant
Nephrologist, Cork University Hospital), Aileen Counihan (Transplant Co-ordinator), Peter Cox and Hilary Scanlon (Carers
Associations). The day, which I also attended, was very informative for all those present. Once again a lot of hard work by
the Cork branch went into the preparations which led to this very successful day.
Over the last six weeks I have also been attending a Patient Education Course which I hope to tell you more about in the
near future. As you can see my job is wide and varied. However, without your support and feedback, I cannot fully complete
certain goals which we all want to achieve.
As always, I look forward to hearing from you. Enjoy the Easter Break.
ALISON LARKIN
AT THE CORK INFORMATION DAY WERE COMMITTEE MEMBERS (L-R): Michael Costello (Secretary,), Mary McCarthy (Treasurer), Val Twomey (Asst
Secretary), Stella Costello, Teddy O’Neill (Board of Directors), Mr. David Hickey (Transplant Surgeon, Beaumont Hospital), Aileen Counihan (Transplant
Co-ordinator, Beaumont Hospital), Margaret O’Leary (Chairperson) and June O’Neill.
IKA
S
U P P O R T
S
P R I N G
2008
13
Anne McCahill, HSE
Dublin North East
demonstrating the
cross border renal
information system
to (l-r): Dr. Kieran
Hannan, Cavan
General Hospital,
Dr. Donal Reddan,
Merlin Park
Hospital, Galway
and Karl Cronin,
Irish Kidney
Association
HOSPITAL SHARING
INFORMATION
ACROSS THE BORDER
C
ross border co-operation in health and
social care has taken another step
forward with the sharing of results from
a collaborative hospital project designed to
improve safety and quality of patient care for
people with kidney disease who live in the
border region. Representatives from health
service providers, kidney disease specialists and
voluntary groups from across the island of
Ireland attended the North / South event in
Fermanagh to hear the findings from the cross
border renal project and to discuss future
developments.
Funding from the European Union
INTERREG IIIA programme, secured by the
cross border health services partnership Cooperation and Working Together (CAWT), has
supported six hospitals to install common
specialised information systems so that they
can share data to assist them in the treatment
and care of patients with kidney disease. The
hospital partners are: Cavan General Hospital;
14
IKA
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U P P O R T
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P R I N G
Sligo General Hospital; Letterkenny General
Hospital; Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry; Tyrone
County Hospital, Omagh and Daisy Hill
Hospital, Newry.
With Ireland’s aging population, both North
and South and increasing rates of other
diseases that affect renal function, it can be
anticipated that there will be a continued
demand for dialysis services. The project
recognises that although the renal units
individually gather data, there is a lack of
information sharing between the various units
on the whole island which is hindered by the
use of different information systems in
different units.
The common information system has
allowed the six partner hospitals, in the project
to share information actively for the benefit of
patients. This sharing of information highlights
issues and areas for improvement that can be
addressed from an all island perspective.
Project chair, Dr Peter Garrett from the
2008
Western Health and Social Care Trust
in Northern Ireland, emphasised the
importance of taking a strategic
approach for the whole island. “The
project has demonstrated the value of
collaboration by revealing good
practice as well as areas for
improvement that can now be
addressed, enhancing the quality of
patient care. The potential of further
benefit can be realised by extending
the project, beyond the border region,
with the aim of achieving an all-island
renal registry,” he said.
Also speaking at the event Dr Austin
Stack from the Health Service Executive
West, outlined some implications of
the project findings. He said:” the
CAWT Renal Project has provided a
new approach to managing patients
with kidney disease in the border
region.
We
have
successfully
implemented a renal information
system that can track the patient
journey on dialysis and transplantation.
It allows us monitor the clinical health
of the patient through their period on
dialysis, evaluate the quality of care
provided to patients and identify
barriers or areas for improvement in
care delivered. For instance we have
found that there is a trend of
increasing demand for haemodialysis
services with a 6.2 % increase in
numbers over the past year. This is
consistent with national trends and has
obvious implications for future capacity
provision and workforce planning. We
hope it will serve as the seed project
for a comprehensive all-Ireland renal
registry in the very near future. Indeed
the benefits of such an approach have
already been realised by many
countries including our neighbours in
Northern Ireland and also in Scotland,
Wales and England.
Chief Executive of the Special EU
Programmes Body, Pat Colgan
commented on the success of the
project. “This project signifies what the
European
Union’s
INTERREG
programme is all about; cross border
co-operation to improve services to
people living in the border region. The
project has involved the sharing of
information
between
health
professionals in both jurisdictions for
the benefit of patients. It is very
encouraging to hear about the good
work completed and that the hospitals
involved will continue to work
together.”
An interesting discussion on
vascular access for haemodialysis
patients took plce, highlighting the
under provision or availability of
surgeons willing to perform these
simple - but skilled operations. – Ed.
Speakers at the conference included
Prof
Neil
Turner,
Consultant
Nephrologist, Royal Infirmary of
Edinburgh; Prof Peter Maxwell,
Consultant Nephrologist, Belfast City
Hospital; Dr Liam Plant, Consultant
Nephrologist, Cork University Hospital;
Dr Donal Reddan, Consultant
Nephrologist, Merlin Park Hospital,
Galway; Mr Karl Cronin, Secretary
Cavan / Monaghan Branch, Irish
Kidney
Association;
Dr
Paul
McKeveney, Consultant Nephrologist,
Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry; Dr Kieran
Hannan, Consultant Nephrologist,
Cavan General Hospital, HSE DNE;
Anne McCahill, Acting ICT Project
Manager, HSE DNE; Dr Austin Stack,
Consultant Nephrologist, Regional
Kidney Centre, HSE West and Joe
Lusby, Deputy Chief Executive,
Western Health and Social Care Trust.
SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE IKA
Many people have asked us for a standing order form because
they wish to contribute to the Association’s work.
✄
REQUEST FOR A STANDING ORDER
To: The Manager
(Your bank's name and address)
I/We hereby authorise you to set up a Standing Order on my/our account as specified below:
Signed:
Date:
Address:
PLEASE CHARGE TO MY / OUR ACCOUNT:
Amount -
€
Monthly Quarterly Yearly
Start Date:
(Tick as appropriate)
Name of Account:
AND CREDIT TO THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNT:
Name of account: IRISH KIDNEY ASSOCIATION
at Bank of Ireland, 2 College Green, Dublin 2.
Bank Account No:
Bank Account No:
90-00-17
17193435
Sort Code
Account Number
Please tick if you are a PAYE taxpayer. If you donate €250 or more, in a year, the Revenue Commissioners will
match your donation at your current tax rate. This will increase your donation to the IKA, at no extra cost to you.
PLEASE POST TO: THE IRISH KIDNEY ASSOCIATION,
DONOR HOUSE, BLOCK 43A, PARKWEST, FREEPOST, DUBLIN 12.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
IKA
S
U P P O R T
S
P R I N G
2008
15
A New and
Imaginative Life
Giving Project
A
new and very imaginative project for the
benefit of all involved in the organ donation
movement will be launched on the LATE
LATE SHOW on Friday, 4th April.
Entitled ‘Strange Boat’, this project will raise
awareness of the need for organ donation, and will
help meet the humanitarian and personal needs of
donor families and transplant recipients as well as
remembering and celebrating the lives of all organ
donors.
The project is being initiated by Denis and
Martina Goggin whose son, Éamonn, died
tragically in a road traffic accident in the Summer
’06. As were Éamonn’s wishes his organs were
donated, making the greatest possible act of
generosity by giving the ‘gift of life’ to others.
The name chosen for this project ‘Strange Boat’
is borrowed from the title of The Waterboys’ song
recorded over twenty years ago and which has
now been recorded on CD/single specially for the
purpose of organ donation awareness. It features
Eleanor Shanley, Mike Scott of The Waterboys,
Sharon Shannon, Alec Finn, Eddi Reader and Paul
O’Driscoll, all of whom are extraordinarily
supportive of the project and gave unselfishly of
their time and talent to the recording. The
CD/single also includes a tune called ‘Sound Man
Éamonn’, composed by Charlie Lennon and named
in memory of Éamonn who had worked as sound
engineer with Charlie in his recording studio in
Spiddal.
The recording and release of this CD/single have
become the inspiration and catalyst for the setting
up of www.strangeboat.org website which will
help promote organ donation through focusing on
people and their stories – donors, their families,
transplant recipients and those people awaiting
organ transplantation. It is also hoped that
considerable benefits will be derived from such a
dedicated website, providing a forum which will
further the aims and aspirations of all involved in
the organ donation movement.
‘Strange Boat’, the song, and ‘Strange Boat’ the
website are being launched simultaneously on 4th
April, ‘08. The project has been sponsored by
Hibernian Insurance with the support and backing
of the National Organ Procurement Service at
Beaumont Hospital and the Irish Kidney
Association.
16
IKA
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U P P O R T
Ann Murphy with the cheque
Heart of Gold
A
s a family, my mother Ann, father Larry,
sister Tina and I decided to donate Noel's
organs. My brother Noel passed away in
2007 in Beaumont Hospital after a fall in our
mother's house. Even though he didn't carry a donor
card we knew this is what he would have wanted as he
had said it on many occasions.
Noel absolutely loved music and was a fantastic
singer and guitar player (thought he was Neil Young!).
Noel livened up every occasion with his music and
sense of humour, so we decided that every year we
would pay tribute to Noel by having a musical night
while fundraising for different charities. It is a way for
us, Noel's family, and his many, many friends, to all get
together again and remember the good times. We are
from Rathdrum in Co. Wicklow, which is a small town,
and Noel was very well-known and loved here.
We organised the venue and then the work began.
We have a lot of talented people in Rathdrum so we
asked each of them to come along on the night and
sing a couple of songs (we had a long list by the end)
we also had a DJ between songs provided by a good
friend of Noel's, and of course we had a raffle. We
have named the event ‘Heart of Gold’ which we
thought was very appropriate not only because Noel
had one but it is also one of his favourite Neil Young
songs. The night was a huge success and everyone
really enjoyed it. We held it this year to coincide with
Noel's 40th birthday which would have been the 7th
January. We raised €1,500, which was not bad going
for a week after Christmas.
In future we will be holding the ‘Heart of Gold’
event on the May bank holiday weekend.
SAMANTHA MURPHY
S
P R I N G
2008
INTERNATIONAL FED
E
OF KIDNEY FOUNDATRATION
IONS
www.ifkf.net
9th Annual Meeting
6TH – 9TH MAY 2
008
NOVOTEL HO
TEL, MAINZ,
GERMANY
For Registration co
ntact the hosts:
CEAPIR, Donor Hou
se, Park West, Du
blin 12, Ireland.
Email: ashling@ika.
ie
The IFKF is the organisation that cleverly developed the idea of ‘World Kidney Day’.
The IKA have represented Ireland at this world organisation since 2001. The topics discussed
at these meetings vary from early detection programmes to fundraising for kidney
foundations. The participants are from some of the poorest to the richest countries in the
world. I would encourage all renal organisations to consider attending the IFKF’s Annual
Meeting this year - which for the first time is hosted by a patient organisation - CEAPIR.
IKA
S
U P P O R T
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P R I N G
2008
17
1
Matchmaker’s
Ball
T
he Matchmaker's Ball took place on
Saturday, February 16th in the glorious
setting of the Great Hall of the O'Carroll's
in Kinnitty Castle.
The resident Matchmaker, Tommy Buckley, spent the
evening diligently pairing up potential couples and he
certainly had more than a few successes!
During the sumptuous banquet, prepared by Head
Chef Nigel Johnston, guests were entertained by
harpist Kathleen Loughnane and members of the
Encore Chamber Choir, singing romantic numbers to
get people in the mood.
Afterwards the auction commenced, under the
direction of local auctioneer Ivan Sheppard, who was
kindly assisted by Anne Bergin. A variety of prizes were
auctioned, including the owner of the Castle
Cornelious G Ryan, who received bids in excess of
€600!
In total, the generous attendees to the Matchmakers
Ball helped to raise €5700. The money raised on the
night will go the Offaly Branch of the Irish Kidney
Association.
18
IKA
S
Present on the night, representing the Offaly branch IKA were
Richie Young and Jerome Burke, who spoke of the benefits that the
monies raised will bring to patients and families in the local area.
Jerome sincerely thanked Mr. Ryan for holding the event and those
who dug deep into their pockets to support the worthy cause.
Kinnitty Castle would like to thank the kind sponsors who
donated items to be auctioned on the night as without them the
auction would not have been such a huge success. Sponsors
included: Skin Health Care, Richmond Marketing, Pharmacy Plus,
Hodson Bay Hotel, Tullamore Golf Club, Laois Angling Centre,
Kinnitty Castle, Riverbank Restaurant, Bridge House Hotel,
Birr Golf Club, O'Tooles Londis Birr, Kabelo, Birr Equestrian Centre,
Peter Fox Pharmacy, Kinnitty Castle Equestrian Centre,
The Highpoint Group, County Arms Hotel, Timac Agri Business,
Shop and Hotel Supplies, Pallas Foods, House of Beauty,
Ritzy's Hampers and RJ Barbers & Sons.
U P P O R T
©Reprinted courtesy Offaly Express
S
P R I N G
2008
2
Pictured at the Matchmaker’s Ball
held in Kinnity Castle were:
1. Trudy Shepherd, Tom Buckley,
Official Matchmaker, Grace
McRedmond and Con Ryan.
2.Mairead Delaney, Natalia Campbell
and Sinead and Roisin Crowe.
3. Ina Kearney, Etain Kett and Elma
Fenton.
4. David Mannion, Ronan Mooney
and Tim Maher.
5. Orlagh Murphy, Stephen Brown
and Paul O’Reilly
6. Wayne Byrne, Michael O’Shea,
Pat Kennedy and John O’Driscoll.
N
O
I
T
AUC
3
4
Photographs by
KEVIN BYRNE PHOTOGRAPHY
Leinster Express
5
6
IKA
S
U P P O R T
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P R I N G
2008
19
Spring •
It’s Springtime and with Easter around the
corner, why not try these seasonal recipes
for lamb, and these delicious desserts
as springtime treats
1 tbsp flour
Black pepper
Mixed herbs to taste
RACK OF LAMB WITH HERB CRUST
Serves 4
2 racks of lamb, trimmed (your butcher
will do this for you)
2oz/50g breadcrumbs
Small bunch of basil, mint and parsley
1 spoon wholegrain mustard
1 tsp olive oil
1oz/25g butter
8 fresh chives for garnish
Preheat oven 180°C/350°F/Gas 4
Blend the breadcrumbs with the fresh
herbs in the food processor for 2-3
minutes. Brush lamb flesh with the
mustard and then press the herb crumbs
onto the mustard side of the lamb. Heat
the olive oil in a frying-pan, put the lamb
in and seal it on all sides for about 2
minutes. Place on a roasting dish. Put in
the oven for 8-10 minutes if you like your
lamb pink in the middle. If you want it
well done, leave it in for 15-20 minutes.
SHEPHERD’S PIE
Serves 4
1lb/450g minced lamb
1 tbsp polyunsaturated oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, if liked
Small tin tomatoes, drained
3
⁄4pt/450ml water or 3⁄4pt chicken stock
cube with 3⁄4pt/450ml water
1 onion
1 clove garlic
1-2 tbsp oil
20
11⁄2 / 700g potatoes, double boiled and
mashed with margarine, 1 tbsp milk and a
little salt
In a large heavy saucepan, heat the oil
and fry the
onion until it
turns colour.
Crumble in
the mince
and stir
frequently.
Fry briskly.
Drain off the fat.
Draw the pan off the heat. Add the
flour and half the stock or water. Add in
the tin of tomatoes. Season.
Cover and simmer for about an hour or
until the mince is tender. As the mince
thickens, add the rest of the liquid.
Place the mixture into an ovenproof
dish and cover with the mashed potato,
forking it neatly or piping it.
Bake in a moderate oven for 25-30
minutes or until the top is crisp and
golden.
Serve with carrots and runner beans or
other seasonal vegetables.
PINEAPPLE SLICE
Serves 8
For the crumble
8oz/225g plain flour
A pinch of salt
4oz/100g margarine
6 oz/175g caster sugar
Filling
1lb/450g tin pineapple slices or 12oz/450g
cooked apples or 1 large tin blueberries
2oz/50g caster sugar
Finely grated rind of 1 lemon
IKA
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U P P O R T
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P R I N G
2008
By LOUISE WALSH, Renal Dietitian,
Cork University Hospital
• •
into Easter
Sift the flour and salt into a basin and
rub in the margarine until it resembles fine
breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar. Divide the
mixture into two portions.
Line a 9’’/23cm loose-based flan tin with
baking parchment and grease the sides of
the tin. Press one half of the mixture into
the base of the lined flan tin using a potato
masher. Cover with a layer of broken-up
pineapple slices or other fruit as listed
above. Sprinkle with sugar and lemon rind.
Spread the remaining crumble mixture on
top. Tap the base of the tin to settle the
crumbs but do not press down. Place the
tin on a baking sheet. Bake at
190°C/375°F/ Gas Mark 5 for 45-55
minutes, until golden brown. Allow to cool
slightly before loosening.
(To use as a pudding, serve hot or cold,
sliced, with double cream or custard.)
and base, then chill for half an hour.
Meanwhile, beat the cheese, sugar,
lemon juice and zest in a bowl until
smooth. Put the water into a small
saucepan,
sprinkle on the
gelatine and
leave until it
turns spongy.
Place over a
low heat,
stirring all the
time until the
gelatine has dissolved.
Strain the gelatine into the cheese
mixture, stirring constantly. Whip the
double cream until it is just stiff and fold
this into the cheese mixture. Turn it all into
the crumb-lined tin and chill in the
refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Note: Count one portion of
the slice as one fruit portion.
Some of the recipes use margarine but
butter can be used instead. If cholesterol is
raised, you should choose a
polyunsaturated margarine or monounsaturated margarine eg. Olive oil spread.
LEMON CHEESECAKE
Serves 6
2oz/50g margarine
4oz/100g digestive biscuits(crushed)
1oz/25g granulated sugar
For the filling
12oz/350g Philadelphia cream cheese
3oz/75g caster sugar
Juice of 2 large or 3 small lemons (6 tbsp)
Grated zest of 1 lemon
2 tbsp cold water
1
⁄3oz/10g gelatine
1
⁄4pt/150ml double cream
Melt margarine in a saucepan. Remove
from heat and add the crushed biscuits and
sugar. Mix well and turn into a 7’’/18cm
flan tin or dish 11⁄2 / 4cm deep.
Press the mixture firmly around the sides
It can be very hard to escape all the
chocolate that is in the shops for the Easter
season. Chocolate is both high in
potassium and phosphate and is not
recommended as part of the renal diet. It is
best to try to avoid it but if you can’t resist;
Turkish delight, crunchie, milky way or twix
are the best choices especially the mini
ones if you want to taste the chocolate
without doing too much damage to your
potassium and phosphate levels. The
allowance would be one bar only over the
Easter period. Sweets such as mints, boiled
fruit sweets, marshmallows and fruit chews
are all suitable alternatives to chocolate.
I am very thankful for the kind permission to use some of the
recipes above from The Renal Patients Cookbook. It is
possible to purchase the cookbook by sending a cheque or
postal order in sterling for £9.50 Southern Ireland available
from: Mrs. M.E. Hale, 92, Kingsley Road, Kingsley,
Northampton, Northamptonshire. U.K. NN2 7BY or simply to
e-mail cazmarsh@yahoo.co.uk for further information.
10
I IKKAA SSUUP PP POOR RT T SSP PR RI
INNGG
22000088
21
Bernard Cooke Retires fr
T
he IKA is 30 years old this
year and to mark the
occasion the board of the
IKA are travelling the country
to meet the branches. The inaugural
meeting corresponded with the
celebration, in Galway, of the 30
years service to the organisation, of
Bernard Cooke, husband of Angeline
Cooke. Bernard has decided to retire
from the board of the Association
and concentrate on local activities in
the future.
Patricia Doherty and Lorraine
Costello were Bernard’s guests of
honour past Chairman Úna de
Bréadun and past board member
Bernadette Munnelly travelled to
share the occasion with the board
and the Galway branch. Many warm
tributes were made to Bernard and
Angeline on this milestone occasion
in the Association.
They have both been extremely
active in the Association and the
cornerstone of the Galway branch
for more than the 30 years of the
Association. It was extremely
appropriate to have Senior Renal
Nurse, Peggy Higgins from Merlin
Park, providing the musical
entertainment on the night.
Paul Donohoe, Chairman, IKA, led
the tributes to Bernard and Angeline
and Mark Murphy presented a
slideshow of archive photographs of
Bernard and the Galway branch.
Patricia Doherty, Úna de
Bréadun, Bernadette Munnelly
and Elizabeth Malone, amongst
others, made warm tribute
speeches on the night.
Bernard, as usual, stood up
to the occasion on the night
and indeed was delighted with
the turnout of all his IKA
friends.
22
IKA
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U P P O R T
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P R I N G
2008
Above: Bernard and Peggy Higgins.
Below left: One of the earliest pictures of
Bernard on the front of the SUPPORT
magazine, 23 years ago.
Below right: Patricia Doherty and Paul
Whelan with Bernard at the Opening of
Donor House, Park West.
Opposite page: Bernard and Angeline at his
retirement party in the Menlo House Hotel,
Galway.
rom
GALWAY
WELLSTONE
CLINIC
The Board took the opportunity of visiting the
Galway Wellstone Clinic in Ballybrit while they
were so nearby attending Bernard’s retirement
party.
The Unit is very like the Wellstone Unit in
Kilkenny. The facilities that Wellstone provide
are a pleasure to visit.
Many thanks to all the staff for the warm
welcome they provided to the Board.
IKA
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23
TACKERS
SKI CAMP
5th – 12th January 2008
By COLIN WHITE
ALL THE PARTICIPANTS AT TACKERS 2008:
THE IRISH AT TACKERS:
(back) Colin White, Jurgen Schuttke (front)
Peter Fahy, Sara Keogh, Baebhen Schuttke,
Jaydon Brittion, and Marie O’Connell.
24
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Dog sledding
Peter Fahy, Snowboarding
T
Left inset: Jaydon Brittion
Below: Aziz (Tunisia),
Sara Keogh, Jaydon Brittion
and Peter Fahy
ACKERS (Transplant Adventure Camp for
Kids) is an annual event for children from
all over the world that takes place in the
ski resort of Anzère in Switzerland. The
common factor that brings all these children
together is the fact that they have all had an
organ transplant.
As part of developing our under 18’s sports
programme, it was decided that we would
facilitate some Irish children to attend. In Peter
Fahy, (Sligo), Sara Keogh, (Clare) and Jaydon
Brittion, (Carlow) we found excellent
ambassadors. They are all 16 years old and
were at the centre of most things the older
participants were involved in and they certainly
took full value from the trip – it was hard to
get them off the stage during the karaoke!
Baebhen Schuttke, a wonderfully confident
young lady from Ireland, also attended the
Camp with her German father, Jurgen. They
had both attended TACKERS before.
Marie O’Connell, from Temple Street
Hospital, and I travelled with our participants
and we attended the Camp as volunteers.
Marie worked on the nursing side of things
whilst I was a general volunteer, as was Jurgen.
It was an amazing week with kids, 6-18 years
old, from all over the world, (New Zealand,
Tunisia, Israel, Canada, etc.), coming together
to celebrate life!
The Camp organiser, Liz Schick, an English
lady who married a local Swiss resident, and a
transplant recipient herself, pulled together a
great team of volunteers that gave all the
participants a week they won’t forget for a
long time. A testimony to the quality of the
Camp is the fact that there were participants
and volunteers there who had attended a
number of the Camps over the years. I know
that all five of us who travelled together this
year would be thrilled to get the opportunity
to go again! I personally have come away with
so many stories and happy memories from the
trip and I would highly recommend it to people
who are 18 and under who have had a
transplant.
That’s enough from me, let me share with
you the impressions that Sara, Jaydon, Peter
and Baebhen had of their week in Switzerland.
I have compiled their thoughts below.
“
The ski trip was a fantastic opportunity and it’s all thanks to my transplant donor. It gave me
a real sense of independence as we had no parents or siblings with us! I was not sure about
going as I had never skied or snowboarded before but now that I have been, I can definitely say
that it was worth it. I was so excited about going I couldn't sleep the night before, it was better
than Christmas day!
”
“
The days started early and ended late and were full of activity. We were all staying together
in a very big chalet. There were Camp Counsellors who led all the activities and volunteers
who also helped out. There was skiing or snowboarding in the mornings, followed by a choice
of activities in the afternoons that included dog sleds, ice skating, arts & crafts, dance etc. You
have so much fun at TACKERS, you don’t have time to miss anybody! It actually makes you feel
much more grown up.
”
“
The evening activities ranged from Karaoke to a fancy dress disco in the local nightclub and
were great fun. Along with learning how to snowboard, dressing up as ‘Action Man’
himself and singing my heart out with ‘Team Ireland’, I made some friends I will never forget. It
was an amazing feeling to be among people who had also been through what I have
experienced. It was a great chance to improve my communication skills with individuals and
groups. Being in my Leaving Cert. year, it gave me the opportunity to practise my foreign
languages!
“
”
”
I thought that TACKERS 2008 was a great experience and one never to be forgotten.
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25
SPORTS ROUND-UP...
ALSAA SPORTS COMPLEX
10th February 2008
W
e had a good turn out for
this training session and it
always impresses me when
people who live a long way from
ALSAA show up. I am looking forward
to the day when our numbers involved
in sports build to a sufficient level that
we can have regional days of sports /
events and thus cut down on the
travel. You can help make it a reality. If
you are not already involved in the
sports programme, sign up today!!
We had badminton, swimming,
darts and the ever popular ten pin
bowling. People are getting psyched
up for the forthcoming sports events,
with some preparing for the Racquet
Sports Tournament in London in April
whilst others are looking forward to
the European Transplant & Dialysis
Games in Germany in September.
Our lane, in the swimming pool,
was actually quite busy. Our bowlers
are improving all the time. After an
amazing medal haul in the bowling at
last year’s World Games, we now have
a reputation to maintain!!
Paul Donohoe, Vera Frisby and Peter Heffernan
Harry Ward
NATIONAL TRANSPLANT
& DIALYSIS GAMES (DUBLIN)
13th – 15th June 2008
LIMERICK SPORTS WEEKEND
11th – 13th April 2008
T
his year we are again going to
Limerick for our sports training
and social weekend. People can
travel there on the Friday at a time of
their own choosing. We will be staying
in Jurys Inn.
On the Saturday, we will have golf
early in the morning and we will
spend the day at the University making
use of their excellent sports facilities.
On Saturday night we will have dinner
together in the hotel.
On Sunday there will be ten-pin
FUNDRAISING CYCLE: 12th July 2008
IKA
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his year’s Games are again
planned for June. There is
organised competition across a
broad range of sports and plenty of
fun for all the family mixed
throughout. Registration forms should
be available in the second half of April.
Contact Colin in Donor House.
Michael Lydon with
Monica Finn at the
European Games 2006)
Michael Lydon from Galway, who represented Ireland in the
2006 European Transplant & Dialysis Games, is taking on an
epic challenge in July. He is joining a friend and together
they are going to cycle from the Spanish border up along
the west coast of France. They will take a flight back to
Shannon and as it stands, they are due to arrive there in
time for a cycle from Shannon to Galway city on the 12th
of July. They are raising funds for the IKA and the National
Council for the Blind (NCBI).
If you would like to find out more, and especially if you
would like to join them on the cycle from Shannon to
Galway, (you don’t have to do the full distance!), contact
Colin in Donor House.
26
bowling in a local bowling alley and
we will all disperse after lunch.
If you want to join the fun, you
MUST GET REGISTRATION FORMS
FROM COLIN. Be warned! Unlike the
days in ALSAA, there will be nothing in
place for you if you turn up
unannounced!
S
P R I N G
2008
SPORTS ROUND-UP...
EUROPEAN TRANSPLANT
& DIALYSIS GAMES
30th August – 7th September
Registration forms are available now! We
made a visit to Wurzburg, the host city,
recently to meet the Chairman of the
Local Organising Committee and to see
the facilities. I am pleased to report that
preparations are in good shape. The
setting is very beautiful (it is a wine
growing region) and the sports facilities
look very suitable. The Opening
Ceremony sounds like it is going to be
great fun! If you have not got your
registration form, get one now. It’s your
chance to find out what the European
Games are all about before they come to
Dublin in 2010.
Are you on dialysis? These Games are
your chance to travel. We visited one of
the haemodialysis units that will be used
during the Games and it looks very
efficient. If you are on peritoneal dialysis,
Baxter have proved themselves reliable in
the past when it comes to arranging
delivery of your supplies to the team
hotel. Sign up today!
COLIN’S CORNER
Colin White,
Rachel Eagleton
and Michael Dwyer
H
ave you set yourself a goal as to what you are going to achieve in
terms of exercise or sports in 2008? Remember, set your goal
according to your abilities. Make it challenging but not impossible.
Could you aim to walk in a 5km or 10km event, plenty of people do. I can
let you know when events are on in your area. The buzz of being involved
in these occasions is addictive. Adapt as your circumstances change and
remember to have days off and enjoy them! Enjoy your exercise and don’t
treat it as a chore.
My wife Chico and I had the pleasure of attending the Drogheda
Independent Sports Personality of the Year (2007) awards on Friday 29th
February. Michael Dwyer and his wife Bernadette also attended, as did
Agnes Matthews. Rachel Eagleton was one of the monthly winners after
her exploits in the World Transplant Games in Bangkok. It was a fabulous
evening and with Michael O’Muiricheartaigh as compere, we were all kept
enthralled.
It was great recognition for Rachel. Other members of our national team
have received similar recognition in their local communities. It was also
great for transplant sports as it really helps to put us on the sporting map
and great for the cause of organ donation and transplantation as it conveys
such a positive message.
UK TRANSPLANT GAMES: 7th – 10th August
We are recruiting an under 18’s team to attend this event and there is a lot of
early interest. We also have a number of adults who have expressed an interest
in attending. If you are under 18 and you have received a transplant and you
(and your family) would be interested in being part of Team Ireland, contact
Colin.
For more information about the Games go to www.transplantsport.org.uk
2010 EUROPEAN TRANSPLANT & DIALYS
IS GAMES:
SPONSORSHIP
Come join
the fun
at the
European
Transplant
& Dialysis
Games!
Would your company or someone
you know be interested in sponsoring
the
2010 Games? We are putting togethe
r different potential packages such
as
being an overall Games sponsor,
a single sport sponsor, a social
event
sponsor, a product sponsor, etc.
If you think that you have a pot
ential
contact, let me know.
IKA
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27
SPORTS ROUND-UP...
LIFECYCLE: Northern Ireland
25th June – 4th July
W
illiam Johnston from the Northern Ireland Kidney
Patient Association (NIKPA) is organising a
tandem cycle event, on a route joining all the
dialysis units in Northern Ireland, to raise funds for, and
awareness of, organ donation and transplantation.
William has been on dialysis for many years and has been
inspired to this endeavour by the exploits of the late Jane
Tomlinson. She was a cancer patient who was determined
not to let her illness rule her life. She completed numerous
marathons but will probably be best remembered for her
cycle across the United States.
The LIFECYCLE will be divided into 10 mile stages with
different people manning the tandem. The participants so
far include doctors, nurses, dialysis patients, transplanted
patients, friends and relatives of patients.
The final stage proposed for July 4th is at Daisy Hill
Hospital, (Newry) to Belfast City Hospital, a total distance of
37 miles. If you would like to join in this unique experience
and ride on the tandem or if you would like to cycle
alongside on your own bicycle, contact Colin for more
details.
Bridie Nicholson and Monica Finn, participating in the World Transplant
Games 2007 Petanque Doubles
PETANQUE:
All Ireland National Finals
Y
ou may even have seen this game at last year’s
National Transplant & Dialysis Games. Hopefully you
have heard that the Irish team came away from the
World Transplant Games with five medals in Petanque
including two gold medalllists - Bridie Nicholson and Hugo
Boyce.
You now have a chance to see the best players in the
world. The National Petanque finals will be held in Sligo
over the weekend of September 20th and 21st. This will be
an excellent opportunity to see what is a new game for
most people and to pick up tips from top players.
If you are interested in attending or simply want to know
more about Petanque, (how do you pronounce it?!!),
contact Bridie on 087-6390355.
OTHER EVENTS
O
ur team for the Winter World Transplant Games has
reduced to one but I firmly believe that it will be a
very worthwhile venture. It is people like Stephen
O’Gorman, who will be going to the Games, who challenge
the rest of us to try out new things and expand our
horizons.
I am delighted to say that we have 6 people registered to
represent Ireland in a transplant racquet sports tournament
in London at the beginning of April and we have 7 golfers
registered to represent Ireland in the 5 Nations Golf
Tournament in England at the end of May.
5 Nations Golf Tournament 2007: John Barnes (Eng),
Maureen O’Brien (Ire), Helen Haynes (Eng), Terry Mangan (Ire).
28
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UK Transplant Badminton Tournament 2007:
Michael O’Dwyer, Sandra Doyle, Lavinia Flynn, Rosie Fitzgerald,
Colin White and John Cormican
N G 2 0 0 8
NICE PROM CLASSIC 10KM
6TH JANUARY 2008
Pictured left after the race:
Ornesto, Alison, Tony and John
I
n my role of supporter, I was
delighted to travel to Nice with John
Moran for the Prom Classic. At our
arrival in Dublin airport, we hooked up
with Tony Gartland and Alison Larkin.
We were greeted in Nice by a member
of the Lions Club who, very kindly,
drove us to our hotel. The weather
was fantastic and we soon realised
just why they call this area the ‘Cote
d’Azur’! The incredible blue sea simply
sparkled in the sunlight.
The hotel was lovely and we were
free to tour Nice until evening time.
We met Ornesto Antoni who was the
fourth Irish transplant participant,
together with his wife, Kate. John and
Alison represented kidney transplant
recipients whilst Tony and Ornesto
represent liver and heart recipients –
so the Irish representatives had both
variety as well as skill. We were
delighted to meet other athletes from
Britain, France and Germany for
dinner which was organised by the
By
ANGELA MORAN
Lions Club. A great evening was had,
by all, and then off to bed so the
athletes could get their rest!
Sunday morning saw us up bright
and early and off we headed to the
starting line. I could feel the
excitement and anticipation mounting
as the start of the race approached.
Even the weather joined in, giving of
its best with clear blue skies and
beautiful sunshine. Nice was buzzing
as athletes, everywhere, limbered up
for the race. I was delighted to see our
athletes looking so fit and well and
was proud of them all – for the work
they had put into being fit enough to
take part in this event.
Kate and I found ourselves a terrific
viewing position to watch the race.
There was huge excitement as we tried
to spot the Irish team amongst the
thousands of runners. We were
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delighted that they all did so well. The
four of them finished with times to be
proud of and they are excellent
ambassadors for what can be achieved
after organ transplantation.
We got together that evening for
dinner with athletes and supporters
from Ireland, England and Germany
and, as they say, great craic was had
by all!
In conclusion, well done to Alison,
Tony, John and Ornesto.
29
TAX RELIEF ON EXPENSE
INCURRED BY KIDNEY PATIENTS
3. CHRONIC AMBULATORY PERITONEAL
DIALYSIS (CAPD)
Where the patient has treatment at home
without the use of a dialysis machine, relief
under the heading of health expenses may be
allowed in respect of the following expenditure:
T
he following are the figures for 2007 in
respect of kidney patients, received from the
Revenue Commissioners in January of this
year.
1. HOSPITAL DIALYSIS PATIENTS
Where the patient attends hospital for
treatment, relief under the heading of health
expenses may be allowed in respect of
expenditure incurred travelling (unlimited
journeys) to and from hospital at the following
rate:
2007
Electricity
€1235
Telephone
€300
€0.36 per mile/
€0.26 per km
Travel to & from
the hospital
2007
€0.36 per mile/€0.23 per km
You can claim Income Tax Relief if you pay the
monthly fee of €90 for medicines to your
pharmacist and also on any fees that you pay your
doctor.
2. HOME DIALYSIS PATIENTS
Where the patient uses a dialysis machine at
home, relief under the heading of health
expenses may be allowed in respect of the
following expenditure:
The Income Tax Relief allowed is dependent on the
rate at which you normally pay Income Tax.
2007
Electricity
€1565
Laundry
€1950
Telephone
€300
If you require any additional information, you can
contact Donor House, or an explanatory leaflet on
health expenses is available on the Revenue
website: www.revenue.ie
€0.36 per mile/
€0.23 per km
You can also call Revenue direct at the LoCall
number for your area (see table below).
Travel to & from
the hospital
PAYE LO-CALL CONTACT NUMBERS
AREA
LO-CALL TEL
BORDER MIDLANDS WEST REGION
Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Leitrim,
Longford, Louth, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Westmeath.
1890 777 425
DUBLIN REGION
Dublin (City and County)
1890 333 425
EAST & SOUTH EAST REGION
Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Meath, Tipperary,
Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow
1890 444 425
SOUTH WEST REGION
Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick
1890 222 425
OUTSIDE THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
30
IKA
00-353-1-647 4444
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2008
IRISH KIDNEY ASSOCIATION, DONOR HOUSE, BLOCK 43A. PARKWEST, DUBLIN 12.
TEL: 01-6205306. FAX: 01-6205366. LO-CALL: 1890-KIDNEY (1890-543639)
EMAIL: info@ika.ie - WEB: www.ika.ie
RENAL SUPPORT CENTRE, BEAUMONT HOSPITAL, DUBLIN 9. TEL: 01-8373952
LOCAL BRANCH SECRETARIES
CARLOW
DUBLIN EAST
+ WICKLOW
KILDARE
Liam Lally,
2 Maddenstown,
Curragh Camp,
Co. Kildare.
Phone:
045-441975/
087-2249876.
Gertrude McCann
Pollerton Big,
Carlow
Phone:
087-7809481
Ted Morrissey,
203 Barton Rd. East
Dundrum,
Dublin 14.
Phone:
01-2985998.
CAVAN/MONAGHAN
DUBLIN NORTH
Karl Cronin,
65 Blackwood Ave,
The Gallops, Latt,
Co. Cavan.
Phone:
086-8513173.
Patricia Mackenzie,
49 Martello Court,
Portmarnock,
Co. Dublin.
Phone:
01-8462320.
Anne Brennan,
Ballyhendricken,
Co. Kilkenny.
Phone:
056-22846.
DUBLIN SOUTH
LAOIS
CLARE
Mary Abbott,
22 Deilginis,
Shannon,
Co. Clare.
Phone
061-472932.
CORK
Geraldine Quigley,
Mary Bowe,
1 Watermeadow Dr., Bordwell, Ballacolla,
Old Bawn
Portlaoise,Co. Laois.
Dublin 24.
Phone:
Phone:
0502-38506/
01-4620612.
086-3167727.
GALWAY
Michael Costello,
Sean Buckley,
20 Glenwood Court, 39 Camillaun Park,
Carrigaline,
Newcastle,
Co. Cork.
Galway.
Phone:
Phone:
087-4189817.
087-6760287.
DONEGAL
Siobhan Bates,
Bunagee View,
Letterkenny,
Co. Donegal.
Phone
074-9122271/
086-2390275.
KILKENNY
LONGFORD
John Devine,
13 Ardnacassa Lns,
Dublin Road,
Co. Longford.
Phone:
043-46231.
LOUTH/MEATH
SLIGO
Mary Kearns,
63 Crozon Downs,
Co. Sligo.
Phone:
071-9169324.
TIPPERARY
Michelle Traynor,
9 Blackhill Crescent,
Donnacarney,
Co. Meath.
Phone:
041-9827836.
Kay O’Connell,
17 Ard na Criose,
Thurles,
Co. Tipperary.
Ph: 087-9224403.
MAYO
WATERFORD
Maureen Bourke,
Mrs. Vera Frisby
“St. Anthonys’,
59 Sweetbriar Lawn,
Carrowcushlaun,
Tramore,
Ballina, Co. Mayo.
Co. Waterford.
Phone:
Phone:
087-6604133.
086-8372442.
LEITRIM
OFFALY
WESTMEATH
Ellie McConnell,
Doogarry,
Killeshandra,
Co. Cavan.
Phone:
049-4333378.
Maureen Allen,
St. Mary’s Road,
Edenderry,
Co. Offaly.
Phone:
046-9731826.
Deirdre Piggott
10 Ardnaree,
Ardcadia, Athlone,
Co. Westmeath.
Phone:
087-6763535.
KERRY
LIMERICK
Patsy Kelleher,
Grenagh, Fossa,
Killarney,
Co. Kerry.
Phone:
087-7447134.
Pat OBrien,
24 Aspen Gardens,
St. Patrick’s Rd.,
Limerick.
Phone:
085-7250022.
ROSCOMMON
Caroline Kennedy,
Tulsk, Castlerea,
Co. Roscommon.
Phone:
086-8243198.
WEXFORD
Dora Kent,
Newtown,
Ramsgrange,
Co. Wexford.
Phone:
086-3745788.
Galway
the
BRANCHES
H
appy New Year all. We have
had a busy time since the
last issue.
The Branch Christmas party was a
great success with our ‘guest of
honour’ Mayor Tom Costello in
attendance. Our star attraction on the
night was 92-year-old Edward Ward
who would put many a younger man
to shame! He looked so sprightly.
Peter O’Connell and his wife Jane
completed the Dublin City Marathon
and raised a massive €2,500 which
was presented to the Branch by Peter’s
father Liam, a transplant recipient and
member of the branch. Peter and Jane
live in Scotland. Well done and many
thanks to all three of you and your
sponsors for your efforts.
If you thought it was cold on
Christmas Day spare a thought for the
Clarke
family.
Carmel
Clarke
organised a swim in the lake in
Loughrea, Co. Galway, which was
undertaken by members of the
extended family. Together they raised
32
By SEAN BUCKLEY
THE CLARKE FAMILY: Together they raised a staggering €8,000 for the IKA and Unit 7 in Merlin
Park. Special mention to Sinead, Lisa and Fintan Clarke who, along with Derek Hoban, took to the icy
waters on the 25th. Congratulations to all concerned for a tremendous effort.
a staggering €8,000 for the IKA and
Unit 7 in Merlin Park. Special mention
to Sinead, Lisa and Fintan Clarke who,
with Derek Hoban, took to the icy
waters on the 25th. Congratulations
to all concerned for a tremendous
effort.
The money raised by the swim will
be added to the €11,000 that was
raised at the Woodford Music Festival
in October and used to purchase 14
state-of-the-art televisions for Unit 7.
They will replace the existing ten
and add to the four new stations
coming on-stream in the ongoing
refurbishment in the Unit.
Well done to the organising
committee of the Sunday afternoon
tea dance in the West Wing in Tuam
and in particular to Margaret
Monaghan who raised €1,740.
Bernard and Angeline attended a
reception in the west wing and
accepted the cheque on behalf of the
branch.
Thanks to all involved especially
Margaret, Anne O Brien, James Kildea
and Della Dolan.
Congrats to our Chairman, Bernard
Cooke, who received a nomination
recently for the Mayor’s Awards 2007.
The awards are presented annually to
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Galway people who have made a
special contribution in their particular
field. Bernard got his nomination for
his work with the IKA at both local and
national level over the last thirty years.
By the time you read this Bernard will
have retired from the National Board
of the IKA a milestone which was
marked at a special Dinner in the
Menlo Park Hotel on Friday 29th
February. Many years of happy
retirement Bernard and a huge thank
you from all in the Galway branch for
your trojan work through the years.
Keen cyclist and Galway branch
member Mike Lydon will be taking
part in what has been named “the
Spain to Spanish Arch Cycle” from the
5th to 12th July 2008. Together with
Mickey Kelly of the National Council
for the Blind, the tandem cycle will see
them encounter one of the Tour de
France time trials on their way. A lot of
work needs to be done if the lads are
to reach their target of €50,000. So, if
you would like to sponsor them or get
involved in another way do let us
know. All help and donations
gratefully received!
Organ Donor Awareness Week is
nearly upon us again and we would
ask you to give us a hand, if you can,
during the week. We will have a
number of events including the Donor
Mass, information stands and people
selling Forget-Me-Not emblems and
distributing organ donor cards. If you
can give us even an hour please
contact us as soon as possible.
All the launch details and the
timetable of events for the week will
be sent to you in the next week or
two.
Our AGM is being held on 17 April
2008, details to follow. The branch is
Donegal
growing all the time and the workload
is growing faster. If you or any
member of your family would like to
get involved in the running of the
branch don’t be shy. Have a think
about it and let us know. Come to the
AGM if you can.
Finally, many thanks again to all of
you who were involved in any of the
events mentioned above in any way. If
you have anything to tell us or indeed
ask us don’t hesitate to contact any
committee member.
By SIOBHAN BATES
F
irstly, a very happy new year to everyone. Our meetings resumed again on
Monday the 4th February 2008 with a very good turnout. Our weather
had been atrocious previous to this date so a meeting to gather all our
Donegal patients/members together was not possible. May I say thank you to
all those people that sent money for the Donegal Branch/IKA in lieu of stamps
for Christmas.
Plans are underway for our Organ Donor Awareness Week (Saturday 29th
March-Saturday 5th April 2008) and all sellers/collectors are asked to ring me
with their order as soon as possible.
Churchgate collections for all parishes in Donegal are earmarked for the
19th-20th April 2008. Our Annual General Meeting for our Donegal branch is
being held on Monday 14th April at the Donegal Creameries Offices,
Letterkenny at 8pm. As this is a very important meeting I urge you to mark
down this date as your presence is needed.
Good luck now to all our branches during Organ Donor Awareness Week
and hopefully all hands on deck/all help greatly appreciated and we get the
good weather.
Any queries or fundraising issues or snippets you want forwarded into our
SUPPORT Magazine, please e-mail me to thebatesfamily@eircom.net.
Slan go foil.
Dear Donegal Members,
I was made aware, at the beginning of the year, that many of you did not
receive the Christmas issue of SUPPORT. I immediately shipped a stock of
magazines to Siobhan Bates but unfortunately the magazine did not reach
everyone.
I have been in contact with the distribution company airing our concerns and
enquiring as to how the problem arose. They have assured me that it would
not happen again and on their behalf can I apologise to all members who didn’t
receive the magazine. If you would still like a copy please contact me.
ALISON LARKIN
Mayo
By MAUREEN BOURKE
W
e held our Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving with a
Celebration of Mass in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar, 24th
November which was celebrated by Fr. Joe Gilmartin. Fr. Joe is a
haemodialysis patient in Castlebar and he put an enormous effort into the
event which made it a very meaningful and moving ceremony. Fr. Joe composed
a prayer for renal patients. Copies were distributed to all. Refreshments were
served afterwards in the Welcome Inn Castlebar.
We offer our congratulations to all who were transplanted during 2007. We
hope that you are all keeping well and continue to celebrate good health.
Preparations are in place for the Annual Forget-Me-Not and Organ Donor
Awareness Week.
We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of
all our renal patients who passed away during last year. Our thoughts and
prayers are with them.
IKA
S
U P P O R T
S
P R I N G
2008
A
R
O
U
N
D
the
BRANCHES
EXTRACT FROM
FR. JOE GILMARTIN’S
Prayer for Renal Patients
Lord thank you for being the
source of my life and love and for
dying for love of me on Calvery.
May your trial; your journey to
Calvery, your death on the cross
give me the courage to face my
trials in life with perseverance,
patience and generosity.
May the ticking of the dialysis
machine remind me of the many
people who stand by me; nurses,
doctors, all ward staff, carers,
taxi-drivers, friends and family.
Your spirit is alive in them,
continue to sustain each one of
them in their work of the Good
Samaritan and bless them in their
homes.
May I always receive with gratitud
e
and generosity my kidney
treatment and be mindful that
there are many other afflicted
people. May my suffering help
them.
Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted
and Health of the Sick, comfort me
and all my fellow patients when
we are in pain, frightened, lonely
or frustrated.
We ask this through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
33
A
R
O
U
N
D
Cork
By MICHAEL COSTELLO
the
BRANCHES
S
pringtime, looks like it has
arrived at last. Great to see the
stretch in the evenings, the
renewal of nature in the garden and
looking forward to sunnier days
ahead, giving us a chance to get out
and enjoy the fresh air.
The Branch Social was held on
Saturday 16th February at the
Rochestown Park Hotel here in Cork.
A most enjoyable night out for all who
attended including patients, their
families and friends. A very nice meal
The Lawless family and friends before their ‘Annual Christmas Day Swim, in aid of the Cork branch,
Irish Kidney Association.
served in such beautiful ambiance by
friendly staff. Later we put on our
dancing shoes and danced the night
away to the sound of the group
‘Instinct’. Special thanks to all those
who gave us spot prizes for the
evening - these were very well
received by those lucky enough to win
them. Since the evening was such a
success we hope it will become an
annual event. We were fortunate that
a reporter and a photographer, from
the local Evening Echo newspaper,
were at hand. Subsequently, we got
some good publicity including some
nice photographs.
INFORMATION DAY
Our Information Day took place
this year on Saturday March 8th
starting at 9.30 am. Finishing at
4.30pm. We obtained the services of
some eminent Speakers such as Mr.
David Hickey, Dr. Liam Plant, and The
Carer Group co-ordinator from the
HSE and Peter Cox from the Cork
CORK BRANCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS: (l-r): Stella Costello, Noirín Murphy, Margaret O'Leary (Chairperson), Mary Foley, Teddy O'Neill (PRO and Board
Member), Gobnet Gleeson, Mary McCarthy (Treasurer), Kieran O'Leary, June O'Neill and Michael Galgey.
34
IKA SUPPORT SPRING 2008
Cork
By MICHAEL COSTELLO
A
R
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N
D
the
(l-r) Cathleen Cronin, Mary McCarthy (Treasurer, Cork branch, IKA), Aisling Cronin, John Wall and
Margaret O’Leary (Chairperson, Cork IKA).
branch of the Carers Association, staff
members from Donor House and one
member of the Transplant Coordinators team.
ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS
WEEK
We are busy making plans for
another “Organ Donor Awareness
Roscommon
Campaign.”
Special request - We would like to
request anybody who may have some
time to spare (even one hour) and are
prepared to help, if they could get in
touch with me or with any of the
officers (Margaret O’Leary or Mary
McCarthy) we would be most
grateful.
T
We all wish Board member Monica
Finn a speedy recovery
from her recent unexpected spell
in hospital.
– Ed.
OTHER NEWS
We would like to express our
sincere thanks to Claire Lawless for
organising
another
successful
Christmas day swim.
Our monthly meetings are still held
on the first Tuesday of each month at
8.00pm in the “Doughcloyne Hotel”
in Togher. New members welcome.
Waterford
By CAROLINE KENNEDY
he branch here in Roscommon
hold meetings
from September to June in the Abb
ey Hotel. Our
branch AGM will be held in April
this year. We
are always looking for new members
and your support
in any form would be appreciated.
If you are interested
in joining the branch or you
would like some
information or somebody to talk
to please do not
hesitate to contact us.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Organ Donor Awareness Week:
29th March-5th
April 2008. Churchgate collecti
ons in June and
September all over the County.
You can contact the secretary Car
oline Kennedy on
086-8243198 or any of our committ
ee.
Looking forward to hearing from
you.
BRANCHES
By VERA FRISBY
O
ur last branch meeting was well attended and
arrangements were made for Organ Donor
Awareness Week. We will be selling the
Forget-Me-Not flowers, brooches, key-rings and car magnets
at the local Supermarkets in Waterford City, Tramore and
Dungarvan from the 1st April to 5th April. We are very short
of volunteers, if you or a friend can spare an hour or two
during this week please contact Vera at 051-381032 or
mobile 086-8372442.
We would like to thank all our helpers in advance and we
hope the weather will be kind to us this year.
We would like to thank everyone who purchased IKA
Christmas cards especially patients and staff at the Dialysis
Unit WRH.
Tramore ICA donated the proceeds of their recent ‘bring
& buy’ sale to the IKA. We would like to say a very special
thank you to the ladies for their generosity on this occasion.
FOR ORGAN DONOR CARDS
FREETEXT THE WORD
ORK
IRISH DONOR NETW
k West, Dublin 12.
IKA, Donor House, Par
Phone: 1890-543639.
DONOR TO 50050
IKA
S
U P P O R T
S
P R I N G
2008
35
Dublin North
A
R
O
U
N
D
By PATRICIA MACKENZIE
the
BRANCHES
Tony Hughes (Treasurer and Board Member, Dublin North), Vera Frisby, National Treasurer, IKA, Ted
Goodman (Vice-President, Bohemians) and Jack Morrissey (Treasurer, Bohemians).
Frank O’Brien (singer), Phyllis Brant, Dublin North IKA and Bryan Hoey,
(tenor) at the Bohemians Charity Night Concert.
(L-R): Jim Byrne, Tony Hughes, Paula Mackenzie, Vera Frisby, Ted
Goodman, Phyllis Brant and Harry Ward, (kneeling): Colin Mackenzie.
H
ello to everyone and good
wishes to you all for 2008. We
hope you are all in good spirits
and looking forward to a great 2008.
SYMPATHY
Dublin North branch would like to
express our deepest sympathy to the
families of three members of our
branch who were recently deceased Martha Glynn, Ann Patricia Burgess
and Colette Mulvaney. May they rest
in peace.
FUNDRAISING CONCERT
A Bohemians Charity Night
Concert, in aid of the IKA Tramore
Holiday Fund, was held in the Red
Cow Moran Hotel on Monday 19th
November 2007 under the direction
of President Tom Moran. A wonderful
evening’s entertainment followed
36
Colin Mackenzie and Nyle Wolfe. Nyle was one
of the performers on the night of the concert
and donated half of the funds from the sales of
his CD’s, on the night, to the IKA Fund.
IKA
S
U P P O R T
S
P R I N G
2008
featuring among many others - Tenors
Edmund Browne and Bryan Hoey,
Sopranos Celine Byrne and Claudia
Boyle, Pianist Anthony Byrne,
Comedian Joe Cuddy and singers
Frank O’Brien and Nyle Wolfe. Our
thanks to Patricia Mackenzie’s
brother-in-law
Bryan
Hoey,
Committee
Member
of
the
Bohemians, for sponsoring the IKA
application for support.
All funds from the Concert go to
the Tramore Holiday Fund. Vera Frisby
our National Treasurer, together with
Mark Murphy, CE, IKA, met the
Bohemians
Vice-President
Ted
Goodman, Hon. Treasurer Jack
Morrissey and Hon. Secretary Brian
Hogan to accept a cheque for €5,800
on behalf of the IKA, in the Renal
Transplant Support Centre, Beaumont
Hospital. Our very special thanks once
Dublin North
By PATRICIA MACKENZIE
A
R
O
U
N
D
the
At the Bohemians Charity Night were: Colin Mackenzie (Chairperson, Dublin North, IKA),
Tony Hughes (Treasurer and Board Member, IKA), Patricia Mackenzie (Secretary, Dublin North, IKA),
Bryan Hoey (famous Dublin tenor and who was instrumental in bringing this concert to fruition) and
Mary Hoey (Bryan’s wife).
(L-R): Jimmy and Orla Greene, Jack and Nuala Kearney, Dublin North
branch members, at the Christmas Party in the Skylon Hotel
again to all involved and the generous
members of the Bohemians Society.
DUBLIN NORTH XMAS PARTY
Our Christmas Party took place on
Monday 3rd December 2007 in the
Skylon Hotel. We had a very good
turnout for the occasion and everyone
had a great night. A big ‘thank you’ to
Paul Fitzpatrick of the Skylon Hotel for
providing the supper very promptly
which was very nice.
There was a terrific raffle and
everyone at the party went home with
something. Then we all enjoyed a sing
along and many at the party
contributed. We were delighted that
some new members to Dublin North
attended which was great.
This was a very nice evening to
finish off with after a very busy 2007
for Dublin North.
BRANCHES
Above (l-r): Maureen O’Rourke and Philomena Brant and below:
Noel Brant also enjoying the Christmas Party in the Skylon Hotel.
ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS
WEEK 2008
We hope that the weather will hold
up for Organ Donor Awareness Week
and that we will have plenty of
collectors for all our venues. We need
all the help we can get this year as we
have secured more shopping centres.
A NOTE FOR NEW MEMBERS
We hope that, as Dublin North is
such a big branch, that some of the
new members might consider coming
on a Monday evening, meet the
members and have a cuppa. We
would love to meet you some time.
All meetings take place in the
Beaumont Renal Transplant Support
Unit (near the top of the main
driveway to the hospital after the 1st
roundabout, take the next left
through the barrier).
IKA
S
U P P O R T
S
P R I N G
2008
37
Louth/Meath
A
R
O
U
N
D
By MICHELLE TRAYNOR
the
BRANCHES
Members of the Louth/Meath branch after a recent meeting.
S
Irene Kelly (founding secretary, Louth/Meath branch, IKA) and Tom Geary (founding chairman,
Louth/Meath branch, IKA) cutting the cake at the Louth/Meath 20th Anniversary Celebrations.
Martin Wallace, Bellurgan Point, Dundalk, presenting a cheque for €3,700 to Tom Geary, Treasurer,
Louth/Meath branch. This was the proceeds of a tractor run held in October.
38
IKA
S
U P P O R T
S
P R I N G
2008
ince the last edition of SUPPORT
we have had our Annual
Christmas Party. It was held on
Friday 30th November in the
Conyingham Arms Hotel, Slane, Co.
Meath. There were over 120 guests in
attendance on the night. Music was
by the very talented Terry McMullen.
Terry organised a Mr & Mrs
competition during the night. Three
couples took part and the craic
between them was just mighty. Thank
you Terry for a wonderful job.
Everyone, who was in attendance
on the night, had great praise for the
staff of the hotel, for putting up a
superb meal and for Terry, for his great
music. Tom and Valerie thanked Mary
and Michelle Traynor for all their help
in organising the night. Everyone had
a brilliant night and said that they are
looking forward to attending next
year.
BRANCH 20TH ANNIVERSARY
The Louth/Meath Branch recently
celebrated their 20th Anniversary. On
the night there was a presentation to
our Treasurer, Tom Geary, for his hard
work and dedication to the Branch for
the past 20 years. Well done Tom and
thank you very much. Your help,
support and kindness are much
appreciated by everyone.
FUNDRAISING
Margaret Hanratty raised an
incredible €2,000. This was the
proceeds of a Tractor Run which
Margaret had organised with the
support of her partner Tommy
Louth/Meath
By MICHELLE TRAYNOR
A
R
O
U
N
D
the
Rita Flanagan, Margaret Hanratty, Tommy McDonnell and Agnes Molloy presenting a cheque for
€2,000 to Tom Geary (Treasurer, Louth/Meath branch, IKA), proceeds of a tractor run held in October,
organised by Margaret, with help from Tommy McDonnell. Unavoidably missing from photo was Rose
Clarke.
McDonnell from the Wee County
Vintage Club.
Margaret always wanted to do
something for the IKA since her
daughter Denise became unwell,
needing
a
kidney
transplant.
Thankfully, Denise is doing well since
receiving her transplant last year.
Martin Wallace, a transplant
recipient of 10 years also took part in
a Tractor Run in October 2007 and
raised an incredible €3,700.
Well done to you both. Keep up the
hard work, it is much appreciated.
A donation of €1,000 was made
by Donnelly Providers, Ratoath, Co.
Meath at Christmas. This was
proceeds in lieu of gifts to clients.
A donation of €500 was made by
Sean Kerr Providers, Ardee, Co. Louth
at Christmas which was proceeds in
lieu of gifts to clients.
Many thanks for your kind gesture,
it was greatly appreciated.
DONOR WEEK
At the moment, we in the
Louth/Meath branch, are busy
preparing for Organ Donor Awareness
Week. We hope it will be as successful
as past years.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Our Annual General Meeting will
take place on Tuesday 8th April at
8.30pm in the Conyingham Arms
Hotel, Slane, Co. Meath.
May I take this opportunity to
thank the wonderful committee
members for all their hard work and
dedication to the Branch over the
BRANCHES
Terry McMullan, Rachel Eagleton with the medals she won at the Transplant Games in Bangkok last
August, and Tom Geary, at our Christmas party.
past 12 months.
MASS OF REMEMBRANCE &
THANKSGIVING
We are holding our Annual Mass of
Carlow
By GERTRUDE McCANN
BRANCH MEETING
The next Carlow branch meeting
will be held in the Seven Oak’s Hotel,
Carlow, on Tuesday 18th March 2008
at 8.30pm. As usual all members and
their family and friends are most
welcome to attend, we would be
delighted to see you there.
ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS
WEEK
With the week fast approaching
we are busy organising distribution of
Forget-Me-Nots and organ donor
IKA
S
U P P O R T
S
P R I N G
Remembrance and Thanksgiving on
Tuesday 6th May in the Conyingham
Arms Hotel, Slane, Co. Meath. It will
commence at 8.00pm.
2008
cards throughout the county. Our
collection day will be held on
Saturday 5th April. If anyone would
have a few hours to spare, on the day,
we would be most grateful for your
help. Please contact Gertrude on 0877809481.
TRAMORE AND KERRY HOLIDAYS
Anyone wishing to apply for the
Tramore or Kerry Holidays can obtain
application forms from Gertrude at
087-7809481 for same, or contact
Deborah at Head Office direct.
39
Cavan/Monaghan
A
R
O
U
N
D
By KARL CRONIN
the
BRANCHES
O
ur Annual Christmas Party
was held on Sunday 2nd
December in the Hillgrove
Hotel, Monaghan. Once again, it was
very well attended with many new
patients attending for the first time. It
was a fantastic day out and a great
opportunity for friends and patients to
meet up outside of the hospital
environment.
After a sumptuous four-course
lunch, we had a very enjoyable
evening of entertainment, dancing
and music. There was also a raffle held
throughout the evening with a fine
array of spot prizes on display.
It took a lot of organisation, and
in that regard, we extend our deepest
gratitude
to
the
organising
committee, those who helped out on
the day and those who donated and
collected spot prizes.
40
Entertainment at this year’s Annual Christmas Party included a comedy act and a traditional Irish
music group from Monaghan, as well as local singers and musicians.
The newly expanded Renal Low
Clearance Clinic is now fully
operational at Cavan General
Hospital. We congratulate Dr. Kieran
Hannon, the driving force behind the
expansion of this facility and also
Susan McKenna, the Renal Clinical
Nurse Specialist and wish them every
success with the clinic, which will be
of huge importance and benefit to
patients in our branch.
The Renal Dialysis Unit, in Cavan
General Hospital, has also introduced
the twilight shift on Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays due to the
increased number of patients needing
dialysis treatment.
Our Branch meetings recommenced in February in our new venue,
The Errigal House Hotel, Cavan Road,
Cootehill, Co. Cavan. If you wish to
attend these meetings, but currently
do not receive notification about
them, please do not hesitate to
contact me and I will add your details
to our contact list. You can text your
details to 086-8513173.
We
are
currently
making
arrangements for Organ Donor
Awareness Week 2008 and need as
much help as possible to make it a
success in both counties. Many of our
branch members have received
successful kidney transplants over the
last 12 months, a testament to the
work of the IKA’s organ donation
campaigns. If you have an hour or two
to spare on Saturday 29th March and
would be willing to help out, selling
the IKA emblems and promoting
Organ Donor Awareness Week in
Cavan and Monaghan, please get in
touch with us. As they say, many
hands make light work!!
Cavan/Monaghan branch members enjoying the Annual Christmas Party
IKA SUPPORT SPRING 2008
Clare
By MARY ABBOTT
A
R
O
U
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D
the
On behalf of the Woodstock Set Dancers, Mary Lynch presents Peggy Eustace, Clare branch
Treasurer, with a cheque for €7,960, proceeds from the Wren on St. Stephen’s night (front row, l-r):
Mary Hogan, Peggy Eustace, Mary Lynch (Chairperson, Clare IKA), Carmel McCormack and Bridie
Frawley with the Woodstock Set Dancers in the background.
G
reetings to all our patients,
members family and friends of
our branch, and hope 2008
will be a good year for you all.
Our annual Christmas social was
held in the West County Hotel, Ennis
on Sunday 2nd December. Our guests
on the night were Paul Donohue IKA
National Chairman, Ritchie and Mary
Young, Offaly branch, Fr. Tom Hogan,
Ennis and members from Limerick,
Merlin Park and Wellstone Dialysis
Units. Our music was supplied by
Patsy Downes, who gave a superb
performance which really added to
the enjoyment of the evening. It is
well-known the power music has to
lift our spirits. Paul Donohue, National
Chairman, also entertained us with his
music and song.
We would like to say a very sincere
‘thank you’ to all who gave generous
donations, sponsored hampers, spot
prizes, and prizes for the raffle. Your
generosity is very much appreciated.
The evening was enjoyed by all and
brought a pleasant close to the
activities of the branch for 2007.
The sale of Christmas Cards went
very well this year. Thank you to
everyone involved in this worthwhile
venture.
Sincere thanks to the Woodstock
Set Dancers who took part in the
Wren on St. Stephen’s Night, on
behalf of the IKA. Many thanks to all
who supported them and helped raise
€7,670.
Organ Donor Awareness Week, this
Matt McCormack, transplant recipient, pictured
with renal nurse Mairead Monahan, Merlin Park
Dialysis Unit, at the Clare branch Christmas
social.
year, runs from the 29th March to 5th
April. This is a very busy time for our
branch. We are very short on
volunteers to sell emblems etc, so we
would appreciate help from family and
friends. Their help would be much
appreciated.
Collection dates during Organ
Donor Awareness Week have been
arranged for Ennis and Kilrush on
Saturday 29th March and Skycourt
Shannon on Thursday 3rd April 2008.
Our mass of Remembrance and
Thanksgiving is arranged for Sunday
March 30th at 11oc in Ennis
Cathedral.
The West Clare Kidney Support
IKA
S
U P P O R T
S
P R I N G
2008
BRANCHES
Group Walk is on Sunday 4th May.
The proceeds, this year, will go
towards the Renal Support Centre.
This is now an annual event and
continues to grow each year. It’s a 10k
walk from Kilrush to Cooraclare
commencing at 3p.m. Sponsorship
Cards for the walk are available from
Committee members. We look
forward to seeing many of you there;
your support is greatly appreciated.
Congratulations
to
Marie
O’Connor, transplant recipient, from
Lahinch, on winning the Clare
Community
Sports
award
in
recognition of her achievements at the
World Transplant Games in Bangkok.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery
to Tommy Joe Sheedy after his recent
transplant and to anyone who is in
hospital at this time or recovering at
home.
May we send condolences to all
those who lost a loved one recently
especially to Marie O’Brien and family
on the death of Donal who died
before Christmas, RIP. Donal was
gentle and kind and an active member
of our branch. We extend sincere
sympathy to Bridget Wickham and
family on the death of her husband
Mark. Mark had a great sense of
humour and was also an active
member of our branch.
Also, we extend sympathy to the
family of the late Michael McInerney.
They were an example to us all and
will be sadly missed. May their gentle
souls rest in peace.
41
Limerick
A
R
O
U
N
D
the
BRANCHES
Sean Guinan, Kildimo, Co. Limerick (transplant recipient since July 1999), presented a cheque for 2000, to Pat O’Brien
(Secretary, Limerick, IKA). This was the proceeds from a table quiz held in O’Dea’s Bar, “De Bucket”, Ferrybridge, Kildimo,
Co. Limerick, in November 2007. Pictured from (l-r): Martin O’Dea, proprietor, Pat O’Brien (IKA), Sean Guinan, Siobhan
Guinan, and Ger O’Brien. Sean would like to thank all who contributed and supported the fundraiser on the night. A special
word of thanks to all who helped to make it such a huge success.
Leitrim
By PAUL DONOHOE
W
e held our annual Christmas dinner in the Abbey
Manor Hotel Dromahaire on Sunday 16th
December. It was an very enjoyable occasion many thanks to the management and staff of the hotel for
their hospitality. Our thanks also goes to all who brought
spot prizes for the raffle.
A great night was had at our Annual Shrove Tuesday
outing in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on- Shannon.
We are looking forward to this years annual Organ Donor
Awareness Week campaign. We are confident we can rely
on the goodwill and dedication of our loyal supporters
throughout Leitrim to help make this years campaign a
great success.
Good luck to all participating in this years Dublin City
Mini-Marathon on the Associations behalf.
Sr Emer Melvinm Renal Dialysis Unit, Sligo General Hospital and Terry
Keaveney, Manorhamilton enjoying our annual Christmas Dinner
(L-R): Patty McGowan, Frank McGowan, Kathleen McTeague and John
McTeague enjoying our Annual Christmas Dinner.
42
IKA
S
U P P O R T
S
P
Pictured at our Annual Shrove Tuesday outing are Teresa Davitt and
Mary Flynn from Drumkeeran.
R I N G 2 0 0 8
BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS PLEASE:
Mr.
Mrs.
Ms.
FIRST NAME:
INITIAL:
SURNAME:
ADDRESS:
PHONE:
MOBILE NO:
EMAIL:
ARE YOU A RENAL PATIENT:
YES
NO
IF YES, PLEASE INDICATE YOUR
PRE DIALYSIS
CURRENT PATIENT STATUS
HAEMODIALYSIS
Please update our records when / if
APD
Status changes.
CAPD
TRANSPLANT
HOSPITAL YOU ARE ATTENDING:
IF YOU ARE NOT A PATIENT, PLEASE INDICATE INTEREST IN MEMBERSHIP
RELATIVE OF PATIENT:
FRIEND OF PATIENT:
GENERAL INTEREST:
I AM OVER 16 YEARS OF AGE:
YES
NO
I AM UNDER 35 YEARS OF AGE:
YES
NO
AS A MEMBER YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE OUR “SUPPORT MAGAZINE”. ARE
THERE ANY OTHER ASSOCIATION MEMBERS AT YOUR ADDRESS?
YES
NO
WOULD YOU LIKE CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE BRANCH WITHIN YOUR LOCAL AREA?
YES
NO
WOULD YOU LIKE CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE YOUTH SECTION OF THE IKA
YES
NO
TO BECOME A VOTING MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION YOU MUST SUBSCRIBE TO THE
MEMORANDUM & ARTICLES (Rules & Regulations) OF THE ASSOCIATION (COPY AVAILABLE
ON REQUEST).
I SUBSCRIBE TO (SIGNED UP TO AND ACCEPT) THE MEMORANDUM & ARTICLES OF THE IRISH
KIDNEY ASSOCIATION LIMITED.
SIGNATURE:
DATE:
Please return the completed, signed form to the
Irish Kidney Association, Donor House, Block 43A, Park West, Dublin 12.
There is no subscription charge.
MEMBERSHIP FORM
IRISH KIDNEY ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM