Cycle the Ring to support fighters like Cíalan

Pedal power: Seven-year-old Cíalan Walsh at the Irish Kidney Association’s launch of this year’s Ring of Kerry Cycle.
Pictures: Michelle Cooper Galvin

The case of a brave young Kerry boy born with chronic kidney failure, soon facing dialysis and a transplant, has highlighted the need for support for the Irish Kidney Association which provides an essential service to patients and their families

Seven-year-old Cíalan Walsh from Waterville joined his mother, Fiona and dad Jonathan, at a photo-call in Killarney to seek support for the charity which has been selected as one of the tier-two charities in this year’s Ring of Kerry Cycle.

Cíalan has been a regular patient at Crumlin Children’s Hospital since birth and the Irish Kidney Association has been there all along to help him and his family on their difficult journey.

Cíalan’s kidney function has dropped to 20 per cent and is expected to fall below 10 per cent within the next year. When that happens, he will need dialysis unless his father, Jonathan, or mum Fiona can donate a kidney to him.

If they are not suitable, he will join nearly 600 people on a transplant waiting list.

Cíalan with his 14-year-old sister and parents Fiona and Johnathan

“His energy levels are so low that he returns home from school exhausted and he also suffers from nausea,” Fiona said.

“He loves sports but no longer can participate in many physical activities with his friends, although he still plays football with his local team Waterville GAA, which he loves.”

The Irish Kidney Association has called on cyclists to support the iconic Ring of Kerry Cycle on Saturday, July 6 to continue to help raise vital funds for kidney patients, like Cíalan

Founding members of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle Theresa Looney, Denis Geaney with Pat Looney, Theresa’s husband, who cycled the first ever Ring Cycle and will also cycle in the 2024 event

From humble beginnings over four decades ago, members of the Kerry IKA branch created the cycle as a fundraiser to establish a vital dialysis treatment centre within the county.

Since then, the annual event has blossomed into a monumental event with thousands of cyclists taking part each year raising awareness and over €19 million for more than 160 worthy causes.

Veterans of the first cycle continue to be active with the Irish Kidney Association with some participating in this year’s event and others offering support.

Many affected by organ failure, will join the event to support the IKA when they will celebrate transplantation and emphasise the importance of exercise.

Inspiring support for the work of the Irish Kidney Association is seven-year-old Cíalan Walsh from Waterville who, diagnosed with kidney failure as a young child, will need a kidney transplant and serves as an inspiration for patients everywhere.

Taking part in the upcoming Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle will be Irish Kidney Association ambassadors who have been personally touched by organ failure, showcasing their resilience, determination and passion to promote organ donation while highlighting the importance of exercise and fitness before and post-transplant.

Cycling for the IKA this year will be Anna Pokojska, Killarney Shane O’Connell, Castleisland, Joan McDonald, Pat Looney and Francis Hogan

The IKA hopes to inspire people to recognise its pivotal role in the cycle’s history and support the charity which can be done in several ways:

  • By cycling in the 170k scenic circular route on July 6 and when registering selecting the IKA, a tier two charity. There is one free registration for every team of five. Click here for more details.
  • Raise funds for the IKA through the iDonate online platform with a two-night stay in a Killarney for the top fundraiser
  • For those who can’t make it to the event, they can register for a‘virtual cycle from any location individually or collectively in cycling clubs, spinning classes, during July; For the Virtual cycle Register here.
  • Support an IKA bumper prize raffle for prizes with a collective value of over €8,000. To find out more visit www.ika.ie/ringofkerry

KillarneyToday.com: Read by thousands of people every day: To advertise call 064-6631281 or 087-2229761