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Emma McVeigh

Red Socks Run 2023

My Red Socks Run for Kidney Health

As many of you know, I plan to donate a kidney soon for my dad. Since we aren’t a direct match, we need to wait for a paired match to come up, so my kidney will go to someone who needs it, and their donor’s kidney will go to dad. 

The waiting is long and frustrating. And while we wait, dialysis keeps him alive.

Instead of just waiting idly, this October, I’m going to Red Socks Run as life depends on it.

By running, walking, or riding 60km I want to raise awareness of the 60hrs that people affected by kidney disease need to spend on dialysis each month.

Please donate to my page to raise funds for research into life-saving treatments, and provide support to the families of the 66 Australians that lose their life each day to kidney disease.

YOU can make a difference – Join me and help create a future where kidney health is a priority for all Australians.

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

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$4,953

My Goal

$5,000

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My Updates

What a start!

Wednesday 30th Aug
I have been preparing for dad's kidney transplant for nearly 2 years now. The first 12 months involved lots of tests and scans etc to make sure I was fit and well enough to live with one kidney. 

During that time dad had one kidney removed to make space for a good one, and he started dialysis. It was a rough time, as his remaining kidney was pretty angry about the extra workload, and started playing up, causing him agonising pain and several hospital visits. 

The second year has been a real roller coaster. 

We had a match earlier in the year, but within four days of the transplant there were some complications and the surgery had to be cancelled. Dad needed to have his remaining kidney removed because it was just too hostile! First it was pissed about the extra workload, then it was cranky that it was getting a new roommate! Can't keep that guy happy. He had to go. 

This was a devastating time, as we were so ready for the transplant and for dad to get back to a relatively normal life. But we know that it all turned out the way it was meant to, as the mean kidney would have probably damaged or even killed the new roommate. 

Now dad has no kidneys, and is fully reliant on dialysis to keep him alive. He felt a lot better once the toxic kidney was evicted, but he still has good days and bad days. For a man who has always been so active and energetic and healthy, it's frustrating to be limited. 

We are now back on the Paired Kidney Exchange list and waiting for a match. It feels like it's taking a long time, but I am trying to see it as an opportunity to get as healthy as I can in the lead up to surgery. 

I have given up alcohol and I'm trying to increase my strength and fitness. You don't HAVE to give up alcohol if you donate a kidney - you can still drink in moderation. But I REALLY love wine. And with all the drama and several other excuses, I was finding it a bit too easy to have an extra glass. So it was time for a break. Maybe not forever, but at least for now. 

In terms of fitness, I had been doing really well up until the cancelled transplant, and then I kind of gave up for a while. So I'm starting again. 60km across a whole month sounded super easy to me, but when I looked at the data from the last 6 months, I am nowhere near that! So this is a bit of a push for me, but I'm confident I can do it, especially with all the support I've already received from this fundraiser! 

My dad, and many other people, spend 60 hours a month on dialysis. So I will do 60km of exercise and be grateful that I have the opportunity and ability to do that. 

So thank you for your support! It really does mean a lot to me, and to dad. 

Emma x 

Thank you to my Sponsors

$253.20

Kay Patterson

You are a ⭐️ Emma - here’s hoping you exceed your target

$253.20

Susan Bell

Love to you Emma!

$211

Marie Janzekovic

Thank's Emma. Thinking of you all. Love Marie and John.xxxx

$211

Jeremy + Bonnie Robinson

$158.25

Hamish & Margaret

Brilliant Emma!

$156

Jennifer

$120

Monica

Good on you Em xx

$105.50

Jenny

Such a gift Em. Your a wonderful human being 💓

$105.50

Vicki Thompson

You are a legend Emma!!

$105.50

Gaye Mitchell

A great cause for your great Dad. xo

$105.50

Bek Pattison

You are amazing Emma!

$105.50

Tom And Bev

We’re so proud of you Emma.

$105.50

Kate And Stewart

Good for you Emma. You are a very special person.

$105.50

Cathy Hales

You continue to amaze me, Em. Love you! 💖

$105.50

Gus Mcbride

What you’re doing for your dad and someone else Emma is beyond amazing and I’m aware of you!

$105.50

Rainie Hocken

Love you, Em.

$105.50

Ser Sim

All the best Emma and thanks for raising this awareness.

$105.50

John Hardy

A small donation for two wonderful ppl. Love you Em

$105.50

Trish Hardy

Emma, you’re such an inspiration to so many people for so many reasons. We are all very proud of you. Love you. xx

$105.50

Bee Macks

Em, you are so caring and generous, no wonder we all love you to bits! xox

$105.50

Angela Anable

You're a legend! Something we will have to think about down the track.

$104

Hardy

$104

Debbie & Ailsa

$101

Sonja

What a wonderful daughter, hope everyone involved stays healthy

$101

Peter Hill

Great to be able to support this important cause and you and your dad Emma.

$100

Pippi Butler

Thinking of you and your family Emma.

$100

Christine Bain

Such a beautiful soul xx

$89.13

Mary

Love and generosity :) What the world needs. x

$84.40

Kim

To you with love. Best of luck to you and your beautiful family from Katie.

$84.40

Cec Grech

Hope you raise lots

$84

Marna Omichinski

Well done!!

$79.13

Holly Mcveigh

You’re amazing Em xxx

$75

Sunny Mcveigh

An incredibly brave and selfless act! I’m very proud of you, Em xx

$70

James, Cara And Zoe

$52.75

Jy Millis

Such a courageous and generous gift you're giving - good on you Emma!

$52.75

Mary Costa

Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to donate to this worthy cause!

$52.75

Perryn Smee

I hope a kidney donation comes sooner rather than later and your Dad can enjoy the quality of life he deserves.

$52.75

Cassandra Dodge

Emma, you are such an amazing person !!!!

$52.75

Eveline K

$52

Sandra Austin

$52

Margaret Koenen

Good luck to Emma and Pete

$50

Chris

A great cause! Best wishes to Pete from Chris @ St Matt’s.

$50

Peter Baker

Go Emma!

$42.20

Shaye

Proud of you Em!

$41.80

Wilma Hird

$37.98

Amy

This so incredible! I wish you both the best of luck. We all have our fingers crossed that good news will come soon xx

$37.98

Michelle Smee

$37.98

Kim Bulman

Incredible work Emma - that's something to be so proud of!

$36

Helen Tilley

Dads are the best. x

$26.38

Cherie

Proud of you

$26.38

Ally Kemp

This is amazing Emma! Very inspiring.

$21.60

Monica Espinosa

You are inspiring Emma! I wish you and your dad all the best!

$21.10

Sarah Mcallister

YOU ARE AWESOME!

$21.10

Anonymous

Good on you Emma! I wish you and your dad all the best over the coming months!

$21.10

Lucy Pitatr

Go Emma! What a great cause :)

$20

Angeline Chan

I hope all goes well.

$20

Leon Rebello

Best of luck, Emma!

$15.82

Michelle Thomes

$10.55

Anonymous

Great job Emma! This is a great cause

$10.50

Linda Hickey

Go Emma!!! very special

$10

Elizabeth Barrett

This is amazing Emma, wishing you and your dad well!

$10

Lachlan Thomas-walters

$1

Anonymous