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Shad Ireland completes grueling tri-athalon

Updated: Sunday, 18 Apr 2010, 7:08 PM EDT
Published : Sunday, 18 Apr 2010, 7:08 PM EDT

• Brian Tabor
• Posted by: Kate McGowan

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A tri-athlete is sharing his story about living life despite regular dialysis.

37-year-old Shad Ireland was a guest of the National Kidney Foundation serving Western New York.

When he was a young man, Ireland saw a tri-athalon on TV and was inspired to train.

He was the first dialysis patient to complete the grueling competition.

“Somebody sitting on the couch, hopefully one of your viewers, is looking at this and they say, ‘you know, geez if he can be on kidney dialysis for 27 years and do an ironman, which is a 2.4 mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and then a 26-mile run, maybe they can get up and do some exercise’, and that’s really one of the big components of preventing the cause of kidney disease,” Shad exclaimed.

In Western New York, 1,600 people are on dialysis, and 500 are waiting for transplants.

(SOURCE: WIVB)

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Grandpa Valerio has Dialysis Before He Turns 100 at the Great Lakes Renal Network. We hope you have 100 more years with us.

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“Brian is a phenomenon.
The list of difficulties, complications and disasters, both domestic and medical, which he has lived through during his 40 years on dialysis (interspersed by two transplantations) is formidable.
He has survived with panache. A gentle spirit, sustained by a bottomless well of courage.”

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Meet Frank, Morgan, and Richard. They all love helping other people. They all have kidney disease and all have great lives. Learn about their success volunteering while on dialysis.

For more information on kidney disease, treatment options, and kidney disease support, visithttp://www.renalinfo.com/us.

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BC Champion and kidney transplant recipient Alonzo Mourning greets patients at the DaVita Eighth Street clinic.

On October 7, 2009, Alonzo Mourning met with members of Washington DC’s kidney care community and patients, family members and caregivers while touring the DaVita Eighth Street dialysis facility. Mourning joined leaders in urging Congress to support key healthcare reforms that can improve patients’ access and choice in receiving quality kidney care.

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Extraordinary will-The Dialysis patient, Gurdip Singh

In Tzu Chi’s dialysis center in Butterworth, Malaysia there is a man named Gurdip Singh, who has suffered many illnesses since his youth: before he was 20, he underwent five major surgeries, one of which removed his right liver when he was 17. Unfortunately, the disease still spread, attacking his other kidney, and so at 22, Gurdip required dialysis to survive. The burdensome procedure caused great strain both for the man and his family. Fortunately, Tzu Chi stepped in to provide free treatment, giving Gurdip a steady spiritual crutch to lean hard upon. Now Gurdip works in the insurance industry, and, in his free time, helps others as he has been helped.

Every week at this time .Gurdip Singh shows up to help ferry these children around,and to put on a uniform to play the role of teaching assistant.

Dialysis patient, Gurdip Singh :”This makes me more physically healthy, and of course, as a dialysis patient, it’s something very tough, but I take it as simple.”

Each time one hears Gurdip speak so plainly even old friends have a hard time believing the optimism of this dialysis patient of so many years.Slight and sickly,hospitals are his most familiar haunt.Though young,Gurdip has already completed five major surgeries,one of which removed his right kidney, at 17 years of age.It was hoped the procedure would halt the illness threatening him,but soon the sickness spread to his other kidney,
and today, Gurdip must undergo dialysis.

Dialysis patient, Gurdip Singh :”I have to go for dialysis, I was very upset and I was crying. I said not me again. This is not the right thing, because I’m studying now, and I need to help my family. In my life, to become an engineer. So this is not the right thing to happen. Why should I?”

The time of deepest darkness

It was at this time of darkness a doctor recommended his case to Tzu Chi,who immediately brought him relief and care.

Gurdip and his family would not need to worry again over his treatment fees.With Tzu Chi looking after his dialysis,Gurdip started to open his heart to the love around him,while the Master’s Dharma slowly cleaned his troubles away.Step by small step,Gurdip Singh emerged from the darkness,to view the true bounties of his life and loves.

Dialysis patient, Gurdip Singh :”Saving 50 cents, from there I learn. Today people help me when I was sick, people contribute either one ringgit or two ringgit, so today is my time. Although I didn’t save much, at least I saved a little bit. It’s a small amount but you feel happy, because you have done something good in your life. ”

Learning to accept goodness

Although he now accepts free dialysis treatments,Gurdip Singh has also taken away good life lessons.Following friends’ advice, he now works in the insurance industry. Refusing to be disabled by his illness,Gurdip is pushing himself to remain a productive member of society and be the exception to his illness’ rule.

Supervisor, Kumaresen :”He’s a slow and steady guy; although he’s a dialysis patient, I understand that some of the dialysis patients are not really well enough to go out to do their business or whatever it is. But he has a positive mind attitude, there’s always hope for him you know, so he’s doing quite well.”

Knowing the value of community

Gurdip Singh knows well the cost of dialysis,and that his is the gift of true community. So when Tzu Chi holds an event,Gurdip can be counted upon to always help out.These days, when he meets up with a patient

who’s lost hope, Gurdip will share with him his own experiences, to encourage them to look to a brighter future.

Dialysis patient, Gurdip Singh :”I feel that don’t ever give up in life, you do until the maximum, and you don’t’ worry, that’s my philosophy.”

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Steven Olsen describes how the doctors at the Rogosin Institute changed his life. Steve has polycystic kidney disease and was undergoing dialysis treatments. But when his doctors found out about the personal interests he had to curtail because of the effects of his dialysis, they enrolled him in a nocturnal home dialysis program that allowed him to enjoy his passions during the day – including working as a Sommelier and running a 5K with his friends and co-workers.

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Pat Spurgeon is a talented and professional musician who works hard to be where he is today. As a multi-instrumentalist, Pat is an integral part of the indie pop band Rogue Wave. In addition to giving the band everything he’s got, Pat has had to deal with kidney failure and the parameters that have been set for him by his situation. After the success of his first kidney transplant 13 years ago, the kidney starts to fail just as Rogue Wave takes off. D Tour chronicles Pat’s search for a living organ donor and the challenges associated with finding a viable match while touring with his band.
SOURCE: HEARTLAND

The husband of a local Philippines kidney dialysis patient, Daisy Jiminez, speaks about how and why they came to the Mayor Julian “Jolly” Reseueollo Dialysis Center.

Daisy gave birth to a baby and lost it last year because of malnutrition. She was unable to work due to her kidney disease, and her husband drives a tricycle in the local area to earn wages. Daisy was only able to dialyze once a week because they couldn’t afford treatments. Now she receives treatment 3 days a week and is stronger and healthier than ever.

Bridge of Life – DaVita Medical Missions, in partnership with the local government, opened the new Mayor Julian “Jolly” Reseueollo Dialysis Center in San Carlos, Philippines in July of 2009. The new dialysis clinic is the first in the area, serving roughly 250,000 residents in the surrounding communities who previously had no place to receive kidney care.

www.bridgeoflifemm.org