Twelve years ago, Eithne’s father, Ted, received a life-saving kidney transplant 12 years ago at Beaumont Hospital. The transplant was a gift for the family, following nearly three years of Ted being on dialysis due to end-stage kidney disease caused by a congenital single kidney. Now Ted start truly living life again as he enjoys his retirement and spends his days as a proud grandfather. As the eldest of three sisters, Eithne is cycling in the Ring of Kerry to show gratitude for her father’s treatment and to honour his donor and their family. Give to Eithne’s Fundraiser

I am doing the Ring of Kerry because my dad had a kidney transplant in July 2013. He was on dialysis 3 days a week before his transplant and I feel like he got his life back after the transplant.

 

It was such a difficult time.

 

 

We had no idea anything was wrong. Watching him go through dialysis attending Tralee General Hospital three times a week and seeing how it affected his energy and quality of life and watching him lose weight was heartbreaking.

 

We’re so glad to still have our dad here with us. He’s been able to watch his grandchildren – who were very young when he got sick – grow up and we never take that for granted. The transplant gave us more time together, and we’ll always be thankful for that.

 

I’m so grateful for everything the Irish Kidney Association have done. Taking part in this cycle is my way of saying thank you and honouring my dad’s kidney donor and their family. It’s a small gesture, to show my appreciation.

 

I have never done the cycle before but it has been on my bucket list for awhile and this is the year I decided to go for it.

 

Any support people can give would mean the world – not just to me and my family but to so many others who rely on this incredible charity including over 2,500 dialysis patients and their families from around the country,

 

Give to Eithne’s Fundraiser