A NORTHSIDE boy who couldn’t eat his own birthday cake is waiting on an organ transplant that will transform his life.
Sam Kinahan, from Baldoyle, who recently turned five, has been receiving dialysis treatment since he was four and a half months’ old. Sam attended the launch of the Irish Kidney Association’s annual ‘Run for a Life’ event with his parents Chloe and Ivan, and his sister Ali (8). The family fun run will take place on May 25.
Speaking at the launch, Chloe Kinahan said: “In his short lifetime my son Sam has been receiving dialysis treatment for four years and eight months and that's almost as long as he has been alive.
“Sam is a patient at Temple Street Hospital and has soldiered through his illness as a happy little boy who seldom complains.
“One of the issues that comes with his condition is that he has never eaten properly because of his restrictive diet and he has primarily been tube fed.
“While he will enjoy the ceremonial blowing out of the candles on his fifth birthday cake he will not be able to eat it.
“His interests are typical of any young boy of his age and he loves watching Transformers and playing with the power hero robots in disguise.”
While Sam is on the deceased donor kidney transplant waiting list, his family is anxiously awaiting news that his father, Ivan, can be his living kidney donor as soon as possible.
“A donor kidney will be the catalyst for transforming Sam's life and a new kidney will be his transformer!” said Chloe.
“Sam has attended ‘Run for a Life’ every year since his first as a baby being pushed along in his buggy by his father.
“We look forward to attending the event again this year and hopefully by then we will have received welcome news that Ivan can be Sam's donor.”
Colin White, from Balbriggan, Race Manager and National Projects Manager of the Irish Kidney Association, said: “This will be the 11th annual ‘Run for a Life’ event which has developed a loyal following over the years and has become a strong platform for the promotion of organ donor awareness. We are looking forward to another successful event on May 25 which offers a great day out for all the family. Over 500 participants throughout Ireland took part in last year’s event and we are optimistic for another great turnout this year.” Ray D'Arcy, the national ambassador for organ donor awareness 2019, will take part in ‘Run for a Life’ on Saturday, May 25 at Corkagh Park, Clondalkin.
The fun event, which is a celebration of life, is open to people of all ages and levels of fitness who can choose to walk, jog or run in the chip timed event, which offers prizes for winners in a choice of 2.5km, 5km and 10km distances.
The entry fee is €20 adult, €10 child and €45 for a family of up to two adults and up to four children. All finishers will receive a medal and entry fee also includes soup and sandwiches.
For more information on the event visit www.runforalife.ie
•Organ Donor Cards can be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association on 01-6205306 or Free text the word DONOR to 50050. Visit website www.ika.ie/get-a-donor-card or download the ‘Digital Organ Donor card’.
