Sisters lace up runners for virtual charity run
AN Aughrim woman came out of cocooning over the June bank holiday weekend to highlight a virtual run to raise funds for the Irish Kidney Association (IKA).
Julie Sutcliffe, who lives in Aughrim, met with her sister Susan Mulligan in the Phoenix Park to highlight the virtual event for the charity.
From Co. Roscommon, the sisters share the same genetic polycystic kidney disease, along with two other siblings and their kidney transplant father. Within just a few months of Susan undergoing her kidney transplant in June 2019, mother-of-two Julie, began her twice weekly journeys to Dublin for dialysis treatment at Tallaght Hospital.
Speaking to this paper, Julie said, ‘I’ve been cocooning since the schools closed. It’s been difficult but I’m lucky my husband could do things like go to the shops. It’s hard to be at home. I’ve missed going to the shops and my independence.’
The sisters enjoyed a physically distant catch up while they took part in the photo shoot while Julie was in Dublin to attend dialysis. Susan, who lives in Dublin 8, has also been cocooning.
‘It was so good to see her. We talk all the time on the phone but it was good to have a catch up and nice to be out of the house.’
The IKA provides services including counselling, support and family accommodation near Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. They also campaign for awareness of organ donation.
Between now and Sunday June 21, the public are invited to come together while staying apart to support the IKA’s 12th Run for a Life by walking, jogging or running 2.5km, 5km or 10km in their local area.
Participants can donate a €10 registration fee. They can choose to be included on a leaderboard for their chosen distance via a link or to share photos of their runs on social media using the hashtag runforalife.
There will be prizes on offer for each distance, 2.5km 5km, 10km. As the event will run over three weeks, people can enter as much as they like by registering each time.
To register for the Irish Kidney Association’s Run for a Life, log on to www.ika.ie.