-More than 600 on transplant waiting list- Dublin, Thursday, 5th August, 2010.The countdown to the 2nd annual Run for a Life charity fun run has officially begun! Organisers of the charity fun run are calling on the public to register for the Run for a Life fun run and to join them in raising awareness of the need for organ donors and funding for organ transplant units and organ transplant patients throughout Ireland.
This year’s Run for a Life charity fun run, organised by Astellas Pharma Co Ireland, in partnership with the Irish Kidney Association (IKA), is taking place at Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, on Saturday, 18th September, 2010 at 1.30 p.m. To register for the fun run, please log onto www.runforalife.ie. The theme of this year’s fun run, Run Today, Save a Life Tomorrow, reflects demand for organ donation and research in Ireland today. Last year, 261 life changing organ transplants took place in Irish hospitals, but the demand for organs still greatly outnumbers suitable donors available and more than 600 people are on the various organ transplant waiting lists today. The event will offer participants a choice of a 3km, a 6km or a 9km walk/run. The registration fee is €15 and there will be a free BBQ lunch after the event with music and entertainment provided, such as face painting and balloon shaping. Families are welcome to attend and those interested in taking part should register online at www.runforalife.ie. All funds raised will be donated equally to the IKA, as well as to organ transplant units at Beaumont, St Vincent’s University Hospital and Mater Misericordiae hospital.