Sun shines on the ‘Run for a Life’

HUNDREDS of people of all ages lapped up the summer sunshine when they came out to support an important cause which is close to many of their hearts, organ donation.

The Irish Kidney Association’s ‘Run for a Life’ family fun run which took place at Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, saw one couple, kidney transplant couple Debbie Laffan and Reg Plunkett from Newbridge running for their lives while celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary.

Debbie donated one of her kidneys to Reg in October 2015. Also, ahead of their nuptials in Lisbon later this year, were Ciaran Long and his fiancée Lisa Burke.

Lisa was the first lady to cross the 5km distance race while Ciaran came in second place in the 10km men’s event. 

Eoin Worrell (15) who was supporting the fun run because his uncle is undergoing dialysis, came second in the 5km men’s race.

Third place in the 5km men’s race went to Stephen Kavanagh from Glenview, Tallaght while the overall winner for the same distance was fellow Tallaght AC member Garrett O’Keefe from Kilnamanagh.

Honouring his deceased organ donor at the event was Ken Mulkerrins (39) from Lucan, who underwent a heart transplant in 2016. His brother-in-law Joseph Dunne (42) (also from Lucan and now living in Portlaoise) is enjoying the successful longevity of his kidney transplant which he received 17 years ago.

Later this summer, Ken, a former Irish Freestyle Kayaking Champion, will cycle 212 kilometres from Dublin to the symbolic Circle of Life Garden in Salthill, Galway to promote organ donation.

He has set up a Facebook event page for this challenge which is aptly called ‘Powered by The Gift of Life’.

Also taking part in Run for a Life was Ken's wife Pamela, their two young children, Conor (9) who runs with Lucan Harriers and daughter Kate (6). Ken said: “Our family has participated in Run for a Life every year since it began and it’s a great day out and an event we would not want to miss.

“For many years we took part in it to celebrate the kidney transplant which my brother-in-law Joseph received when he was 25-years-old.

“We didn’t expect that more recently I would also need a heart transplant, which saved my life two years’ ago. Two members of our family are alive today because of the generosity of two organ donors.” 

Run for a Life Race Organiser, Colin White explained: “This is a great day out for all of the family. It is fantastic that the sun shone throughout this year’s event and that almost 500 people including transplant recipients and their families and friends from all over the country turned up to support it.

“It’s also encouraging to see several athletics clubs including Tallaght AC, Dunboyne AC, Newbridge, Lucan Harriers and many other running clubs and local companies represented.

“It is wonderful that many are making it a feature on the calendar.”