This article is from page 39 of the 2008-03-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 39 JPG
THE annual West Clare Kidney Walk is growing in momentum every year.
In its eighth year the walk is now a staple part of the west Clare events calendar.
This year more than 500 people are expected to take part in the charity walk from Kilrush to Cooraclare.
Organised by the West Clare Kid- ney Support Group in association with the Clare branch of the Irish Kidney Association, the West Clare Kidney Walk is expected to attract a lot of support during the May bank holiday weekend.
To date the 10 kilometre walk has
raised almost half a million, which has gone towards providing facilities for kidney dialysis and transplant pa- tients at Limerick Regional Hospital, Beaumont Hospital and the Respite Centre at Tramore.
All proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to the Renal Support Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.
The support centre, which is oper- ating for seven years, 1s located in the erounds of Beaumont Hospital all year round. It provides free accom- modation for all its residents, which include families of patients from out- side Dublin, and patients who have to travel long distance to see their consultant as an outpatient.
The centre arranges a counselling
service as required by outpatients and their families and preference for accommodation is given to families of patients receiving transplants and families of the seriously ill.
Speaking at the launch of the West Clare Kidney Walk, WCKSG chair- man Cllr Tom Prendeville and Car- mel Mc Cormack, Chairperson of the Clare Branch of the Irish Kidney Association issued an open invita- tion to members of the public to par- ticipate in the event.
Cllr Prendeville said that in places like west Clare there was a growing awareness of the problem in access- ing kidney dialysis and transplant OI KeLerere NK ee
“It is important that the public
should support this fundraiser aimed at providing better facilities for kid- ney patients. The Renal Support Centre at Beaumont is a particularly worthy cause as it accommodated the families of patients during kid- ney treatments,’ he said.
Sponsorship cards are available from any of the committee members including Flan Carmody, Vincent O’Halloran, Ruth Callinan, Ann Tubridy’s, Marie Culligan, Michelle Gallery Bernie Tubridy, Paudie Ney- lon, Carmel McCormack and Tom Prendeville and from committee members of the Clare branch of the Irish Kidney Association.
The 10-kilometre walk will take place on Sunday, May 4.