Abigail Abela has been a renal patient for the past year and learnt to adjust her life to fit inthrice-weekly four-hour sessions ofdialysis.
The equipment bought byLifecycle for the hospital’s renal unit helps makes those four hours more comfortable, the 22-year-old said.
“At first it was tough to adjust to having to spend so much timein hospital... But you get usedto it and get to know the nurses and other patients who make you feel at home,” she said, adding that she sometimes takes her laptop to Mater Dei Hospital’s renal unit.
Ms Abela has had kidneyproblems all her life but, about a year ago, “they just decided to stop working”.
The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood. Dialysis is a procedure that is a substitute for many of the normal duties of the kidneys.
Worldwide, the incidence of chronic kidney failure is on the rise due to better awareness and screening for the disease, and because conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are becoming more prevalent.
Figures released in March show that 230 people are receiving dialysis in Malta – Ms Abela is one of them.
“Being a renal patient is not that bad, in the sense that you can get on with your life. But having the right equipment is very important,” she said, thanking Lifecycle for buying so much precious equipment for the unit.
Throughout the years Lifecycle has donated over 15 kidney machines, each costing over €20,000, as well as other machinery and equipped the renal unit with an air-conditioning system.
This year’s edition of the challenge kicks off on Friday. The 23 cyclists will be cycling for about 200 kilometres a day – for 10consecutive days – as they make their way through seven countries, starting in the Czech Republic and ending in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The aim of the cyclists, and the 19-member back-up team, is to raise funds for the renal unit. This year, apart from buying equipment, funds will also go to help individual patients with specific needs.
Over the past months the team has been working tirelessly for the 2,000-kilometre track.
During their time travelling they make arrangements with gyms or chapels that allow them to sleep there. This ensures that money is saved for the renal patients.
Earlier this year, Lifecycle became a foundation – 13 years after it was set up by Alan Curry after his wife went into the renal unit having suffered kidney failure in the UK where they lived. Over the past years, the cyclists have gone to over 25 countries – raising over €1 million.
SMS donations may be made on 5061 7370 (for €2.33), 5061 8920 (for €6.99) or 5061 9229 (for €11.65). Landline donations may be made on 5160 2020 (for €10), 5170 2005 (for €15) or 5180 2006 (for €25).
www.lifecyclechallenge.com