Strait To Africa to make life easier for renal patients

As Twanny Vella of Qormi, 52, lies on one of Mater Dei Hospital's Renal Unit beds receiving treatment, he is looking forward to HSBC Lifecycle's next challenge in August, which this year is taking him and another 34 patients to Lourdes.

Mr Vella had to give up his job as a warden a year and a half ago because he must attend hospital three times a week for four hours each time. Treatment leaves him extremely tired. But what he finds really hard is having to keep track of the fluids he takes, because he cannot consume more than a litre of fluids a day. So if he has a litre of soup, for example, he will have to do without anything to drink.

Mr Vella's problems started when he fainted at work and was told his kidneys had failed and that he needed renal treatment. Initially, he was put on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), which does not require regular hospital visits but is done at home through a catheter inserted in the abdomen.

He lasted six months on CAPD but he was contracting a lot of infections, which led him to be put on haemodialysis, for which regular and long hospital visits are required.

It was not unusual for Mr Vella before he fell sick to occasionally go abroad but as he now cannot travel without a nurse and prior hospital arrangements in the country he would be visiting, he has not been away ever since he started treatment. He has not even ventured to Gozo. So when he heard about Lifecycle's gesture this year he was immediately interested and is now looking forward to the forthcoming trip, when he will be assisted by his wife Anna.

Mr Vella recounted his experience to The Times yesterday following the presentation of a €20,000 sponsorship check by HSBC Life to Lifecycle.

Apart from the cyclists undergoing the challenge, the trip will include 34 patients, five to six Renal Unit nurses, a number of helpers and accompanying family members.

This year's HSBC Lifecycle Challenge Strait To Africa will include about 40 athletes cycling 2,200 kilometres, crossing two continents and sweating it out over four mountain ranges from Lourdes in France to Casablanca in Morocco.

The challenge, between August 14 and 25, will this year also be joined by five HSBC employees including HSBC Life managing director Richard Jones who will be joining the team in Gibraltar and cycle the last three days with the rest of the team.

Donations to Lifecycle can be made through SMS, on 5061 7378 for €2.33 (Lm1); 5061 8927 for €6.99 (Lm3); or 5061 9210 for €11.65 (Lm5).

Cheques or postal orders can be sent to the Life Cycle Organisation, c/o Renal Unit, Mater Dei Hospital, Malta. Direct transfers can be made to HSBC (Malta) account 061 198 792 050 or Bank of Valletta account 148 14 52 1017.