Stephen Rubotham, from Co. Kildare, is running the Dublin Marathon in honour of his wife, whose bravery and resilience continue to inspire all who know her. Diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, Stephen's wife, Niamh, went into kidney failure in 2024. Despite the disappointment of Stephen not being a match for a kidney donation, Niamh’s best friend, Lindsay, made the decision to get tested and found out that she was a match. After a few bumps along the road, Niamh received the gift of a kidney from Lindsay in September this year.
My wife has Polycystic Kidney Disease and went into kidney failure in 2024.
After finding out that I sadly was not a match my wife’s best friend Lindsay got tested and she was.
After months of testing and everything going good at the final cross match Niamh developed antibodies that still have not been identified and surgery was called off.
Niamh had to start dialysis in the meantime in January this year. She spent 8 months on dialysis and attended Beaumont Hospital. Dialysis never stopped her doing anything. We have travelled and even went to Electric Picnic this year bringing her dialysis machine with us. She’s an incredible woman!
Niamh and Lindsay were called for surgery in September 2025. We are forever grateful to Lindsay. I will be running the Dublin City Marathon this October for the Irish Kidney Association.
