Kidney race jockeys visit renal department in Tallaght

A number of the amateur jockeys taking part in next weekend's Punchestown kidney charity race visited Tallaght Hospital yesterday to see some of the services provided by the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund, writes Brian Byrne. They included Sinead and Eimear Smullen (below) who are the local interest among the 25 riders competing.

The group first met with Dr Catherine Wall, Renal Physician at Tallaght, who explained kidney failure and dialysis. Afterwards they met some of the patients in the Heamo Dialysis Unit who explained a little about life on dialysis and the restrictions that go with it. Resident Art teacher Lucia Barnes, whose work is sponsored by PKRF, spoke about the benefits of the Arts programme to all the patients. She also thanked all the supporters of PKRF – especially the owners and trainers and Punchestown Racecourse — for their continued help towards the programme over the past 16 years at Tallaght.

James Nolan, Chairman of PKRF, spoke about his own experience on dialysis through to receiving a donated kidney from his sister Catherine, and about his own riding in the charity race.  James also informed the group that Marie and Joe Donnelly will be sponsoring the Arts programme at Tallaght and Waterford Dialysis for the next 12 months and it will be called the 'State Man' Arts Programme.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy