Preparations are in full swing for the 28 renal patients who will be going on a trip to Lourdes sponsored by the HSBC Lifecycle between July 29 and 31.
While 18 of the patients, aged between 14 and 84, are on haemodialysis and need to receive treatment at a renal centre, 10 are on peritoneal dialysis and self-treat themselves at home.
When in Lourdes, the 18 haemodialysis patients will get their treatment at the Centre de Dialyse Saint Jean Le Baptiste on July 29. They will be going for treatment in two or three different shifts depending on availability at the centre.
The 10 on peritoneal will take their own bulky equipment with them or make use of equipment being made available by Baxter Travel Club.
Louise Bugeja, one of the helpers who will be accompanying the patients, said yesterday that the HSBC Lifecycle group will be going to Lourdes as part of the national pilgrimage organised by the Għaqda Maltija għat-Trasport tal-Morda f'Lourdes. Six priests, including Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Mercieca and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech, will accompany the pilgrimage.
Although the organisation holds an annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, there are usually only one or two renal patients given the prior arrangements and preparation required for haemodialysis treatment abroad.
Tony Bugeja, head nurse at Mater Dei Hospital's renal unit, said that the renal patients going to Lourdes, nine of whom were wheelchair bound, would be accompanied by four professional renal nurses, eight helpers and two individual carers for patients who required round the clock assistance.
All 28, he said, were extremely excited at the upcoming trip since most of them have not been abroad for a long time because of the illness.
The trip to Lourdes was also giving them hope, especially the 13 of the 28 who could not have a transplant.
The patients' trip to Lourdes, which will cost about €25,000, is being sponsored by Lifecycle.
The 10-day HSBC Lifecycle Strait to Africa will this year be held from August 14 with the challenge starting in Lourdes from where the cyclists will cross to Spain and Gibraltar, finishing in Morocco. It is the first time that Lifecycle is venturing out of Europe.
Donations to Lifecycle can be made via SMS on 5061 7378 (€2.33), 5061 8927 (€6.99) and 5061 9219 (€11.65).
www.lifecyclechallenge.com