Maria Byrne has already completed 31 marathons and is currently preparing for her 32nd place and the fourth Dublin Marathon on October 27th, but is raising funds for the Irish Kidney Association.
Ken was first diagnosed with a kidney problem 17 years ago, and his organs had steadily deteriorated over time.
In 2019, we reached the point where we began to change our daily lives. Before 2019, Ken was healthy, active, cyclists and runners. However, his liver function dropped to 20% after contracting the virus, which caused him to become very sick, and then his kidney function quickly deteriorated.
He was subsequently subjected to numerous tests at Beaumont Hospital and was deemed eligible for a kidney transplant.
Maria is 36 years old, the youngest of her three children, only three years old, and Ken was the 48-year-old father of two young boys at the time of the live donor kidney transplant.
Unfortunately, the transplant was not successful. This was a huge blow to both families. However, Fate intervened, and unexpectedly, just two months later, Ken was called to Beaumont Hospital for a second transplant. This time it's from a successful donor.
Looking back at those difficult times, Maria said: “I have no regrets. The offer to donate gives hope to the family and I am deeply grateful to the family of the donor who passed away from Ken's health.”
Despite the disappointment of a failed, living donor transplant, Maria quickly returns to full fitness and believes in her active lifestyle and passion for running as a key factor in her recovery. “I was always active. It helped me regain my strength right after my donation. Maintaining health and wellness has always been a priority. It certainly helped me get back to my normal routine,” she said.
Maria, who works as a healthcare assistant for Gorey's GP surgery, said, “I was discharged from the hospital just two days after the surgery, returned to work within three months, and regained my previous level of physical activity within six months.
Maria emphasized the importance of raising awareness about living donations. “I think it's important to be aware of living donations that provide hope to patients on transplant waitlists.”
Ken's chronic kidney disease, diagnosed more than a decade ago, was the result of his long-term pain problems with high blood pressure that damaged the kidneys. His progression of kidney disease was slowed down due to medical interventions and lifestyle changes.
When Covid-19 arrived in 2020, Ken had progressed to end-stage renal disease when he needed dialysis treatment. For over two years, he was undergoing home dialysis treatment, called the peritoneum, for 10 hours at a time.
During this treatment, Ken was raising a young family and juggling requests to run the busy restaurant The Hungry Bear with his wife Louise. It was a very challenging time as chef Ken suffered from constant nausea, extreme fatigue and the limitations brought about by dialysis. They didn't know how long he would stay on the waiting list for the implant.
Desperate to help ease Ken's light-likeness and pressure on his family, Maria moves forward and offers to become a living kidney donor.
“We are close family and it was an easy decision for all of us because when one of us feels bad, it affects everyone. The Beaumont Hospital screening process to determine suitability as a living donor is very medically and psychologically comprehensive.
“We try to prepare for all possible outcomes, including the potential for success, but the majority of living donor transplants have been successful. There have been no complications since the donation, and I feel that sharing my experience with others who may be considering living donations can provide valuable insights,” Maria said.
In addition to highlighting the donation of living kidneys, Maria also raises funds from the Irish Kidney Association, which supports Ken and his family.
“The Irish Kidney Association has been incredible to advocate for us and other families and provide practical advice and counseling. Ken was on dialysis when Covid-19 reached its peak and Ika successfully lobbyed to prioritize the deployment of vaccines for dialysis patients in high-risk groups.
Regarding her passion for running, she said, “I featured long distance running in the early 20's 20 years ago. I enjoy meeting friends, clearing my head and running to stay active.
Maria, who hasn't run a marathon in five years, looks forward to crossing her 32nd long-distance finish line. “My goal for October 27th is to enjoy running a marathon with my close friends UNA and Jackie. We had a great time, not necessarily a good finish or a good personal best time!”
The 2024 Dublin Marathon will be Maria's first full marathon since donating kidneys, and by participating, she hopes that others will consider donating living kidneys, share their wishes for organ donation, and raise funds near the heart and Irish Kidney Association.
More than 2,500 people in Ireland have undergone dialysis treatment, of which 500 are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. There are fewer kidney transplants than in 2022 when Maria donated her kidneys to her brother-in-law Ken, and fewer kidney transplants than in 2023. In 2022, 163 kidney transplants were performed at Beaumont Hospital, of which 33 came from living donors.
To support Maria's fundraising, please visit the Maria Barn fundraising page at eventmaster.ie.
