Punchestown kidney research fund
“have the conversation – say yes to organ donation”
PUNCHESTOWN CHARITY RACE PILOTS PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR PATIENTS.
2022 will see the 31st running of the Annual Charity Race at the “Comeback” Punchestown National Hunt Racing Festival on Saturday 30th April in aid of the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund. (P.K.R.F.) The race involves 25 amateur riders, battling it out over 1 mile 7 furlongs and raising €1,500 for the P.K.R.F. Kilcullen Butcher, James Nolan initiated both the Charity and the Race having received the GIFT OF LIFE when his sister Catherine Doyle donated one of her kidneys to him on the 25th July 1987. He has ridden in the race himself 13 times and won it on 50 to 1 shot Nero’s Dancer in 2002, an experience he describes as one of the highlights of his life.
The Punchestown Kidney Research Fund Charity Race was founded in 1990 and has raised €1.6 million to date. They have invested these funds in projects that improve the quality of life for patients on dialysis, projects that establish ways to maximise the life span of the transplanted kidney and identify projects that examine the causes that lead to renal failure. The PKRF had no major projects during 2020 and 2021 as they had no Race due to Covid However - The PKRF has supported the following projects from 2016 to 2019:
- €150,000 donated to open a new renal unit at Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin.
- €50,000 donated to support 2 kidney related research projects under the guidance of the Irish Nephrology Society.
- €60,000 donated to continue our Art Therapy programs for Dialysis Patients in Tallaght & Waterford Dialysis Units.
- €10,000 donated to our Sports Program for Dialysis & Transplant Patients.
- Organised trips to Lourdes for Dialysis patients.
- Organised Dietary Books for Dialysis patients.
In 2022, The PKRF is looking forward to partnering with the Irish Kidney Association to set up a Pilot Peer Support Program to help Kidney Patients and their Families. We will set up a Support network for patients and their families who are starting out on the road to Dialysis or looking at the possibility of a life - saving Kidney Transplant. This support network will enable people to reach out and connect with a trained Volunteer, to discuss their concerns about Dialysis and Transplantation.
The Punchestown Kidney Research Fund uses the Charity Race as a major Organ Donor Awareness Event in Ireland. Indeed the simple measure of carrying an Organ Donor Card or having the conversation about Organ Donation and informing one’s next of kin of one’s wish to donate organs can save someone’s life.
For more information please contact James Nolan at 086/2349919.
THE PUNCHESTOWN KIDNEY RESEARCH FUND LTD
C/o James Nolan, Main Street, Kilcullen, Co Kildare.
Directors: James Nolan, Jon Byrne, Dr. Dermot Nolan.
Reg. Charity No. CHY 16613 / Reg. Company No. - 64270888
Manomine and Kate Kelly win the 2019 Have The Conversation - Say Yes To Organ Donation Charity Race in 2019.
Free to use. Credit to Racing Post Images.
