Today is World Kidney Day.
This year an emphasis is being placed on the close links between Heart Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease.
Speaking to WLR News, Chairperson of the Waterford Irish Kidney Association branch Ray Halligan highlighted the continued importance of organ donation.
"There are currently 669 patients waiting for organ transplants in Ireland. We're asking people to have the discussion about organ donation with their family," he said.
Ray Halligan, Chairman of the Waterford IKA branch.
The local branch is gradually returning to normal activities following the challenges of Covid. Organ donor recipients and patients on dialysis were among those most at risk throughout the pandemic.
"We're out and about again trying to fundraise," says Ray.
"We have about 20 active members in our branch in Waterford. We have monthly meetings to discuss fundraising, the dialysis unit in Waterford and how we can help and support the unit with non-medical issues."
Upcoming bucket collections will take place at Aldi, Kingsmeadow on March 17th and 18th.
"If you'd like to make a donation to us, everything stays local," adds Ray.
Information on organ donation and on how to become an organ donor are available on https://ika.ie/
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