16 June 2009
A team which includes scientists and doctors from the renal unit at Epsom and St Helier hospitals are stretching their limbs and dusting off their waterproofs as they prepare for the 2009 dragon boat race later this month.
The 13th annual London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Race will see 17 members of staff, including kidney research scientists, renal consultants and the Trust's Medical Director, paddling furiously down the Thames to raise much needed funds for kidney research.
Medical Director and renal consultant, Dr Jonathan Kwan said: "It's going to be a hard work, but we're all really looking forward to it. 40 boats will be taking part in the race, so we'll be up against some pretty tough competition. The renal team are a hardy bunch though!"
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.
The boat race, although meant to be enjoyable for those taking part, will be hard work (participants do the 200 metre race three times) and all funds raised by the renal team will be put towards a very good cause.
Dr Kwan said: "Sadly, kidney disease affects one in 10 people, and without continuing research we can't advance in treating the problem. It's an ever-growing disease and so it is vital that we do as much as we can.
"Kidney disease turns people's lives upside down. Living with any disease is obviously extremely hard, but with kidney disease, when patients require vital but time consuming dialysis or wait anxiously on the transplant list, everything else needs to be put on hold. That's why it's so important that we keep researching and move the treatment forward."
The boat race will take place on Sunday 28 June at the London Regatta Centre in London's Royal Albert Docks. People who prefer to stay on dry land are welcome to cheer on the kidney team and watch the races, and with a host of activities running throughout the day, it is set to be an enjoyable day for all the family.
To sponsor the team, visit www.justgiving.com/sweatykidneyscientist. For more information about the race, visit www.lclc.co.uk/dragonboat.
