Kidney support centre is ‘a haven’
The Irish Kidney Association has officially opened a new ‘home away from home’ in Cork city.
The Munster Kidney Support Centre on Wilton Avenue is within a 3 minute walking distance from CUH and is designed to provide comfortable and supportive day facilities and overnight accommodation. These services are free of charge for kidney patients and their accompanying family members and carers traveling from throughout Munster for hospital appointments and inpatient stays. The vision behind the development of the centre was created with patients and their families to create a true ‘home away from home’.
Future European Commissioner, Michael McGrath TD, officially opened the centre. The event included a plaque unveiling and also a symbolic cherry blossom tree-planting ceremony to serve, the association said, as a lasting reminder of the members of the community’s shared commitment and connection to each other.
Deputy McGrath led the planting ceremony along with five representatives from different stands of the kidney and transplant community who support organ donation including the medical profession, a transplant recipient, a young kidney patient, the family of a deceased organ donor, and a living kidney donor. First proposed in 2014, and purchased in 2018, the redevelopment of two adjoining houses, at numbers 11 and 12 Wilton Avenue, began in August 2022.
Deputy McGrath said: “It is my honour to stand in this beautiful, purpose-built haven for patients and their families located in Cork city and my home county and it is a wonderful example of humanity and community spirit. This event not only highlights the Irish Kidney Association’s unwavering commitment to supporting kidney patients and their families but also showcases the community’s collective efforts in supporting their vision.”
Nearly €1.5 million has been spent, buying the houses and renovating the centre and it employs three trained staff, some of whom are patients.
Eddie Flood, the National Honorary Chairman of the Irish Kidney Association (himself a kidney patient) said: “The dedication of Irish Kidney Association volunteers and staff in developing the Munster Kidney Support Centre shows the strength of the community to create a place of support for all with kidney disease.
“The centre stands as a testament to the power of community spirit, volunteerism, and determination. It is a pipe dream turned into reality, built entirely from bequests, donations, and fundraising from Irish Kidney Association members and the public.”