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Fitness Funday Fundraiser for IKA at The Train Station Gym
A special fundraising event, Fitness Funday, inspired by a grateful transplant recipient, will take place at Train Station Gym, in Galway City, from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, 14th March, in support of the Irish Kidney Association (IKA). The event marks World Kidney Day (12th March) and supports the IKA’s campaign to raise vital awareness about kidney disease, its risk factors, and its links to other health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, highlighting the importance of early detection and prevention.
The Fitness Funday fundraiser is being led by Train Station Gym co-owner Jonny O’Brien and his sister Alceina O’Brien. Jonny, who is also widely known for his success with Corrib Rangers Football Club, has long been a passionate advocate for fitness, teamwork and community. Alceina, who lives in Loughrea, underwent a life-changing kidney and pancreas transplant at St. Vincent’s University Hospital in late 2024. Jonny had previously hoped to donate a kidney to his elder sister, but although he was deeply disappointed not to be a suitable kidney donor match, he has since channelled that determination into organising this community fundraiser to give back to the organisation that supported his family.
Jonny shared on the gym’s social media,
“When Alceina became ill, it was incredibly difficult watching someone you love go through something you can’t fix. Like any family member, I felt helpless at times. When the opportunity came to donate my kidney, there wasn’t a second thought. I just wanted to help. For various reasons it didn’t work out, but thankfully everything worked out for the best, and today Alceina has received her double transplant and is an absolute inspiration in how she has come through it all.”
Jonny said,
“The Fitness Funday will begin at 10am and everyone is welcome to drop in at any time, whether to take part, listen, or simply enjoy a chat over complimentary tea and coffee. Activities will run until 5pm, with something for all interests and fitness levels.”
Highlights of the Fitness Funday will include: a cycle-a-thon throughout the day with 30 gym bikes in action each hour as participants pedal the virtual distance to the IKA’s National Kidney Support Centre at Beaumont Hospital. A fitness masterclass with Jonny will kick off at 10am; followed by a patient awareness talk at 11.30am and again at 4pm, led by Alceina, who will share her inspiring personal health story. An IKA information stand on kidney health and organ donation will be hosted by volunteers from the IKA Galway branch. The day will conclude with a raffle for fantastic spot prizes which is organised by Alceina and Jonny’s father, Tommy O’Brien. Throughout the event, there will be opportunities to hear powerful lived experiences and conversations about fitness, health and resilience and the gift of life through organ donation and transplantation.
Encouraging people to attend, Alceina said,
“Even if you just drop in for a coffee, take a leaflet and listen to a story, you are helping to spread awareness.”
Alceina, a mother of one, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in her twenties while in her final year of nursing. Over time, complications led to kidney failure, and by 2019 she required dialysis three days a week for four hours at a time, a gruelling routine that consumed much of her life for five years.
In a recent interview on her local Loughrea Community Radio station, Alceina spoke about her health journey.
“Fear, uncertainty and vulnerability were part of the journey. But the support I received, from family, friends and especially the Irish Kidney Association, carried me through.”
In late 2024, Alceina received a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant. She says she thinks of and silently thanks her deceased donor and their family every single day for the extraordinary gift she has received. The results of the transplant were immediate and transformative. Her new kidney functioned straight away, and for the first time in decades, she no longer lives with diabetes.
My life has changed completely. The energy, the freedom, the hope, it’s night and day. I feel incredibly fortunate and passionate about giving something back.”
All refreshments at Fitness Funday are kindly sponsored by local businesses Mr. Waffle and Ground & Co.
IKA collection buckets for cash donations will be there on the day, and those unable to attend can show their support online via iDonate by searching for ‘Alceina’s Fitness Funday.’
