13 July 2009
A team of staff members from St Helier Hospital raced their way down the River Thames in a traditional Chinese rowing boat recently (28 June) to raise funds for vital research into kidney disease.
The 20 strong-team, made up of nurses, kidney scientists and the Trust's Medical Director took part in the annual Dragon Boat Race and managed to raise more than £4,000 for their cause.
Trust Medical Director and renal consultant, Dr Jonathan Kwan said: "It was really hard work and we were up against some highly-trained rowers. Not surprisingly, our motley crew - some of whom haven't ever rowed before - didn't win, but we did put a lot of effort in.
"We're really pleased with the amount we've raised and we would like to say a big thank you to all of the generous people that supported us. Every penny that we have raised will go to researching kidney disease.
"Kidney disease is very difficult to live with and it can be fatal, and unfortunately, it's becoming increasingly common. It's very important that we keep the treatments advancing and improving all the time, and the only way to do that is through research."
Staff from the renal unit regularly host fundraising events, which in the past, have ranged from a fundraising supper at the House of Lords to an evening of fire walking, where brave members of staff walked barefoot across hot coals.
It's not too late to sponsor the team for their efforts in the Dragon Boat Race, and to do so, visit www.justgiving.com/sweatykidneyscientists. For more information about the race itself and for details of next year's event, visit www.lclc.co.uk/dragonboat.
