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Kidney Support seeks dialysis machine from Astra Run

Published:Friday | August 26, 2016 | 5:39 PM
Contributed
Commander John McFarlane (left) makes a point at the launch of the Astra Run (5K run/walk), which was held at the Spanish Court Hotel on Thursday. Sharing in the moment are (from left) Pamella Sutherland, national coordinator of the Kidney Support Foundation; Dr Camiele Clarke, director of the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica; and Matthew Williams, who is living with end stage kidney disease and is dialysed twice weekly at the Kingston Public Hospital.

The Kidney Support Foundation of Jamaica (KSFJ) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica (PSJ) have joined forces to stage the Astra Run (5K run/walk), which will take place on Saturday, September 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m at the Police Officers Club on Hope Road, and ending there.

The launch took place on Thursday y at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston.

The Astra Run will be a night event for the first time since the organisations came together last year to stage their 5K Run/Walk.

Chavez Foster of the organising committee detailed the route, which will see patrons starting at Police Officers' Club, then turn left onto Hope Road, left onto Trafalgar Road, across Lady Musgrave Road onto Downer Avenue, onto Old Hope Road, left onto Windsor Avenue, left onto Fairway Avenue, left onto Lady Musgrave Road, then left onto Hope Road and head down to the finish at Police Officers' Club.

Dr. John McFarlane, chairman of the KSFJ, said part proceeds will be used to assist the Kingston Public Hospital to purchase a dialysis machine and to cover the cost of educating the public on the proper kidney health.

Also, part proceeds will be used to help purchase a ventilator for the University Hospital of the West Indies, especially in light of the Zika and the health issues associated with the virus.

Matthew Williams, who has been living with the end stage kidney disease since age 12, spoke about the difficulty of living with the disease, noting that he tries as best as possible to be positive. He plays sports, especially basketball, and is in his final year of studies as a pharmacy technician.

Williams currently attends KPH on Tuesdays and Fridays to be dialysed for four hours each session.

Numerous prizes will be on offer, with competitors battling in several categories, including the top three male and female finishers, youngest and oldest finisher, largest group, best dressed group and age groups up to 19, 20-30, 31-50, plus 50 and over).

Sponsors include Wata, Wata wid Wow, Tapioca Village, Hot off the Press, CVM, Klas ESPN, Power 106, Music 99, Gleaner, KSAC, NWA, Organo Gold, Palace Amusement Company, Emfatic Disco Hyundai Motors (for pace car) and Spanish Court Hotel.