Nurses take part in marathon for IKA
TWO local women were part of a team of nurses from the renal unit in Temple Street Children’s Hospital who took part in the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon in aid of the Irish Kidney Association.
Colleagues Niamh Power, 39, from Kilnamanagh in Tallaght, and Ruth Keogh, 29, took on the 10k course with other staff from the renal unit and have so far raised over €500 for the IKA.
The two nurses are both familiar with the IKA’s work as they have seen firsthand how the charity supports dialysis and transplant patients in Temple Street.
Ruth told The Echo: “We picked them because we work quite closely with the IKA in the renal unit.
“They help our transplant and dialysis patients, and they help with things like transport and hotels, holidays for patients and their families, and awareness of organ donation.”
Along with their workmates Aisling Dunne and Lauren Fitzgibbons, Niamh and Ruth alternated between running and walking the Vhi Mini Marathon while soaking up the atmosphere.
“We enjoyed it,” said Niamh.
“We walked and jogged, and it was a great event, everyone was very supportive and there was a great atmosphere going around the course.
“Ruth also praised the event, adding: “It was really well organised, and the sun was out.
“There were DJs and bands played at each kilometre, and we had a good laugh.
“It was lovely, because we’re a small team so it was nice to do something outside of work together, it was as much for ourselves as it was for the charity.”
At the time of print, the four nurses’ fundraising page for the IKA had raised over €500, and donations are still being accepted on their Just Giving page HERE.
“We’re proud to say that we’ve raised so much, and raised awareness of such a worthy cause,” said Niamh.
Ruth added: “We’re delighted with what we’ve raised so far, but we could never give enough back to the IKA for what they do for the children in our ward.
“They all have to come to Dublin for treatment and it’s a big burden, and we try to make it as easy as we can for them, and the IKA makes it even easier.”
Both women are also proponents for organ donation, and organ donation cards are available on the IKA website HERE.
Commenting on the importance of discussing organ donation with your loved ones, Ruth said: “I think, even though it’s difficult, it’s important to have that conversation with your loved ones.
“It’s important to talk about those ‘What if?’ scenarios, it’s really good to have that conversation beforehand.
“The more we talk about it, the less taboo it is and the more people we can help.”