Mayo/Donegal duo run Dublin Marathon to raise funds for Irish Kidney Association

A duo from Mayo and Dublin took on the Irish Life Dublin Marathon to raise funds for the Irish Kidney Association (IKA).

Carol Hegarty from Ballina and Lucia Byrne from Donegal stepped out for the Irish Kidney Association in memory of Ms Hegarty’s late uncle, Ollie Hegarty, a kidney patient who passed away in 2022.

So far, they have raised close to €2,000 for the Irish Kidney Association with donations to the GoFundMe online fundraising platform. 

_{Carol Hegarty, Ballina, Co Mayo and Lucia Byrne, The Glenties celebrating after running the Dublin Marathon 2024 for the IKA}

The fundraiser by Ms Hegarty saw a remarkable gathering of individuals over the bank holiday weekend in support of the runners, united by their experiences with organ failure, organ donation and transplantation, all stepping out on the course to raise awareness and funds for the IKA.

She commented: "People have been very generous, and we are very grateful to all the people who have supported us. There is still time for others to donate to our fundraiser for this worthy cause. The Irish Kidney Association has a special place in the hearts of the Hegarty family, as the hereditary condition polycystic kidney disease exists in our family. 

“The kidney charity has helped family members gain access to vital treatment and supported us. Family members have had kidney transplants and extensive dialysis treatment. Unfortunately, we lost our Uncle Ollie Hegarty to the disease in January 2022 but the treatment he had, helped him live a fulfilled life,” she added.

Ms Hegarty said it was ‘wonderful’ to have her friend's support by running in the marathon with her.

"In May 2022, my family also did fundraiser for the Irish Kidney Association when my sister Marie Hegarty, who, like Lucia, is also a podiatrist, spearheaded the participation by our extended family - our dad and Oliver's other brothers, Oliver's sisters and nieces and nephews - in the Ballina River Moy Half Marathon raising over €5,000 for the charity,” she explained.

For more information about organ donation, the IKA, each of its inspiring Dublin Marathon runners and links to their online fundraisers, please visit the IKA website.