I am honored to be leading this fundraising event in memory of my aunt Kathleen Kiely. As a family, we have taken the decision to participate in the great Limerick Run to raise much-needed funds for the Irish kidney association in memory of Kathleen.



Kathleen was a brave and resilient woman who spent over ten years on kidney dialysis, going between the University Hospital of Limerick and the dialysis centre on the Dock road in Limerick. Throughout her time on dialysis, Kathleen was cared for by the wonderful staff, especially Doctor Casserely, with whom she developed a great friendship and a terrific bond. She also made many friends along the way, showing her loving and sociable personality.



On the 23rd of July 2021, Kathleen received the telephone call from Beaumont Hospital in Dublin to say that a kidney had become available, and she was offered a kidney transplant. Without hesitation, Kathleen presented herself to the hospital in no time, accompanied by her loving family. The following day, on the 24th of July 2021, Kathleen's transplant was performed, and everything went according to plan. She spent the following two weeks in hospital recuperating in Beaumont in Dublin before being discharged to the loving care of her family in Limerick.



However, a few weeks later, Kathleen suffered further health complications and found herself back in the hospital, where she spent a long number of weeks under the professional care of Doctor Casserely. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff and the love of her family, Kathleen had to undergo lifesaving emergency surgery, on Saint Patrick's Day 2022, following which she never fully recovered. Sadly, Kathleen passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on the 28th of May 2022.



Our decision to participate in the great Limerick Run and raise money for the Irish Kidney Association in memory of Kathleen is truly a great honour for us as a family. Kathleen was a courageous and resilient person who faced many challenges in her life, and it's heartening for us to see her memory honoured in this way. The funds raised will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the lives of many people affected by kidney disease, and I'm sure that Kathleen would be proud of her family's efforts to support such an important cause.