Marathon runner raises over €4,500 for Kidney Association
Fintan Keogh and Dessie Murphy, at the Dublin City Marathon

Marathon runner raises over €4,500 for Kidney Association

A FIRHOUSE man has shown his gratitude for his son’s life-saving kidney transplant by running the Dublin City Marathon and raising over €4,500 for the Irish Kidney Association (IKA).

Fintan Keogh, whose 24-year-old son Sean received a kidney transplant 14 years ago, ran the marathon last October alongside his Microsoft colleague and friend Dessie Murphy last October.

This week, the final tally of the duo’s fundraising efforts was reached – with Fintan and Dessie’s marathon challenge having raised over €4,500 for the IKA.

Fintan’s wife and Sean’s mother, Lisa Keogh, said raising money for the IKA was particularly meaningful for her family because of the support the IKA offered Sean after his transplant.

“I actually suggested that Fintan should run the marathon for the Irish Kidney association,” Lisa told The Echo.

“At the end of the day, even though Sean’s doing well transplant-wise, this isn’t the end of the road and I know Sean will need another transplant and I know we’re going to rely on the IKA.

“The IKA holds a soft spot for us, because Sean went to them for counselling when he was a teenager, and they were brilliant with him.”

Sean had difficulty grappling with having had a transplant and having to take numerous medications and attend hospital appointments unlike many of his peers.

However, after undergoing several weeks of counselling at the IKA, Sean felt better and is grateful for the new lease of life that his kidney, which was received from a deceased donor, has given him.

Fintan and Sean enjoying a pint after Sean finished his marathon

“Sean’s kidney function is perfect,” explained Lisa. “He’s doing an apprenticeship now, he has a girlfriend, he’s living his life.

“He wouldn’t have been here for all of these years if it wasn’t for his kidney transplant, and we will be forever grateful for it.”

For Fintan, the Dublin City Marathon was his 14th marathon and he’s already signed up to do it again next year.

Over the years, the Firhouse man has raised money for Temple Street and Crumlin children’s hospitals through his marathon runs.

“Sean is very proud of his dad, and he’s aware that the marathons are always for him,” said Lisa. “They will forever have that type of bond.”

Individuals who wish to support organ donation are encouraged to share their wishes and keep the reminders of their decision available by carrying the organ donor card, permitting Code 115 to be included on their driver’s licence or having the ‘Digital Organ Donor Card’ app on their phone.

Organ Donor Cards can be requested by visiting the IKA website or to your phone, phoning the Irish Kidney Association on 01 6205306 or free text the word DONOR to 50050.

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