Irish Kidney Association

10/10/2026

Massive thanks to our branch representatives from across the country who travelled to Athlone today to help shape the future of our the IKA. And they did it the only way that matters: by speaking from lived experience.

Facilitated by Strategic Planning experts Marie and Nazia, the day was all about patient voice. Every story shared, every insight offered, every suggestion and idea, will feed directly into our 2027–2031 Strategic Plan.

Because we're a member organisation. our members aren't just consulted, they're the reason the plan exists 💜

Today's workshop, together with your recent survey responses, our staff Strategy Day, and the many one-to-one conversations with key healthcare and policy stakeholders, we’re on track to build a Strategy that's robust, patient-centred, and grounded in what actually matters: setting clear objectives, shaped by the people who understand the challenges of living with kidney disease 🚀

To every volunteer who gave their time today — thank you. This plan starts with you 💪

10/10/2026

Today, Board members, Branch Officers, Member Forum Representatives and IKA staff traveled to Athlone to participate in our Strategic Planning Workshop, led by expert facilitators Marie and Nazia.

How lucky we are to have such a dedicated, passionate team of members willing to give up their Saturday to help the IKA set our priorities and objectives for the next five years 🚀

Thank you all so much for your contributions We're so excited for the future of our Association 💜

10/10/2026

When you hear the words organ donation, what comes to mind?

As we mark , we'd love to hear from our community. Whether you're a transplant recipient, living donor, donor family, patient, healthcare professional, volunteer or supporter, your voice matters.

We're asking people to share the words, thoughts and messages they most associate with organ donation today.

Take our short survey📝 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/7ymid6ZJ8c

09/10/2026

Support our Irish Life Dublin Marathon Charity Runner Fit With Bríd 🏃‍♀️

Bríd is running in memory of her late mother-in-law, Josie, whose journey inspired this challenge.

Josie spent almost ten years attending dialysis before receiving a kidney transplant in 2016. That transplant gave her eight more precious years with her family, including cherished time with her grandchildren.

Josie lived with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a hereditary condition that has affected several members of the McGill family including Bríd's husband Dermot who gets regular check-ups with his nephrologist, maintains a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly and paying close attention to his diet.

Bríd is taking on the Irish Life Dublin Marathon to honour Josie’s legacy, raise awareness of hereditary kidney disease, and give back to the Irish Kidney Association, a cause close to her family’s heart.

“I want to honour Josie’s memory, support the IKA and raise awareness of PKD and the impact of organ donation.” - Bríd

Support Bríd🔗 https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/BM21114908

07/10/2026

HSE Ireland has published information on this winter's flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme.

See the post below for further details.

Top-up your protection this winter with the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

See what vaccines are recommended for you and your family: https://bit.ly/4rIBo05

05/10/2026

'Jenny Ring suffered kidney failure when she was 28. She had married just the year before, the same year her dad died of renal failure. The 50-year-old talks to Helen O’Callaghan about receiving two kidney transplants in the course of her life, describing how the first failed after three years, while the second has been life-changing.'

Read Jenny's story 📖

Jenny Ring suffered kidney failure when she was 28. She had married just the year before, the same year her dad died of renal failure. The 50-year-old talks to Helen O’Callaghan about receiving two kidney transplants in the course of her life, describing how the first failed after three years, whi...

05/10/2026

💻 Softening the Suffering: Wellbeing in the Transplant Journey

Join Dr Mel Phillips for a live online webinar exploring the emotional journey of transplantation, from life before transplant to wellbeing beyond it. This session is designed for patients, families and healthcare professionals and will offer practical insights into coping, connection, compassion and emotional wellbeing.

📅 Thursday, 8 October 2026
🕕 6:00pm
💻 Online via Microsoft Teams

Register 🔗

For over 35 years the World Transplant Games Federation has been staging international sporting events and promoting education around transplantation in order to promote the physical success of transplant surgery and the need to raise public awareness and increase organ donation.

05/10/2026

💜 💜

Living with Chronic Kidney Disease, End-Stage Kidney Disease or undergoing a kidney transplant can bring many challenges, both physical and emotional.

Today, we're highlighting some of the supports available through the Irish Kidney Association for kidney patients and their families/carers.

🤝 Peer Support
Connect with someone who understands your experience.
🔗 ika.ie/peersupport

💬 Counselling Service
Confidential support to help you navigate the emotional impact of kidney disease and transplantation.
🔗 ika.ie/counselling

🌱 Living Well
A six-week online self-management programme designed to help people affected by end-stage kidney disease.
🔗 ika.ie/livingwell

03/10/2026

Finbar Coyle is taking on the Cologne Marathon in Germany on Sunday, 4th October 2026, completing 42.2km to raise funds for the Irish Kidney Association and the Irish Heart Foundation.

Finbar is running in memory of his brother Patrick who died in October 2024 while on the heart transplant waiting list. Patrick faced his illness with courage and resilience, and his strength continues to inspire Finbar.

Through this challenge, Finbar hopes to raise awareness of the Organ Donor Card and encourage more people to discuss organ donation with their loved ones and make their wishes known.

Support Finbar 🔗 www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/finbarcoyle4ihf1

02/10/2026

Support our Irish Life Dublin Marathon Charity Runner Niamh 🏃‍♀️

Every day at 11:11, Niamh Foran from Dublin made the same wish - that her best friend, Edel, would receive the life-saving transplant she desperately needed.

After surviving severe sepsis and spending 22 months on the transplant waiting list, Edel finally received a donor liver in 2018. Throughout those difficult years, Niamh never stopped hoping.

Now, Niamh, a biology teacher, is taking on the Irish Life Dublin Marathon to raise funds for the Irish Kidney Association in honour of Edel and the life-changing gift of organ donation.

“I teach my students about human anatomy, including organs anad how important they are to the body, but Edel's story has given organ donation a very personal meaning for me. When you see what an organ transplant can mean to someone's life, it brings the science home in a very different way.” - Niamh

Support Niamh🔗 https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/NF57701382