Families prepare to run for life

A YOUNG boy whose mother is from Stepaside took his place alongside ‘Ireland's Fittest Family’ as the Irish Kidney Association announced details of its Run for a Life family fun run which will take place on Saturday, May 19 at Corkagh Park, Dublin 22.

Kidney transplant boy Darragh O' Haire, (9) whose mother Ruth Brennan is from Stepaside, is getting involved in the event with the Beirne family who won the hard-fought coveted title of Ireland’s Fittest Family in the RTE TV series last year.

The family is eager to support the Fun Run, as it represents a cause close to their hearts.

Jonathan, Dearbháile, Keith and their father Michael Beirne were joined by Darragh and liver transplant recipient girls Tara Madigan (11) and Éabha Devitt (7) and their families.

 The ‘Run for a Life’ family fun run 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 Beirne Family had no hesitation when asked by the Irish Kidney Association to support the fun run as a family friend and relative, Detta Holahan (58), a mother and grandmother, who lives just miles away from their family home, has been undergoing eight-hour nightly dialysis treatment for almost three years.

Colin White, Race Manager and National Projects Manager of the Irish Kidney Association said: “The Beirne family are a shining example to all of us on the benefits that can be achieved in keeping fit and active.

Just like members of Transplant Team Ireland who will take part in Run for a Life and in the European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships in Sardinia this summer, it demonstrates what can be achieved by transplant recipients and dialysis patients.

“Tara, Darragh and Éabha are also demonstrating that following their transplants they are leading happy and active childhoods and are enjoying taking part in sport. We are looking forward to another successful annual Run for a Life on May 19  which offers a great day out for all the family.

“With over 550 participants from throughout Ireland who registered for last year’s event we are optimistic for another great turnout”.

Darragh O’Haire attended the photocall with his mother Ruth and sister Siofra (11) and brother Sean (13).

Ruth explained: “Daire was born with underdeveloped kidneys and received nightly home dialysis treatment from the time he was just one year old and underwent a kidney transplant from a deceased donor when he was four years old.

“Our family are immensely grateful to the family of the deceased organ donor who will never know how they have changed our lives in such a profoundly positive way. Darragh is a normal active nine-year-old boy now.”

There are approximately 550 people in Ireland awaiting life-saving heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas transplants. Thanks to the gift of organ donation almost 3500 transplanted people in Ireland are enjoying extended life.