James Reilly Prepares for the Dublin Marathon to Support the Irish Kidney Association
James Reilly, a 24-year-old trainee accountant from Cavan town, is preparing to run the Irish Life Dublin Marathon on October 25 to raise funds for the Irish Kidney Association, NorthernSound reported. Diagnosed with IgA nephropathy as a teenager in 2018, Reilly views the 26.2-mile race as an opportunity to support a charity that assists patients and families while promoting organ donor awareness.
From a Misdiagnosed Infection to a Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosis
In 2018, Reilly initially believed he was suffering from a severe case of strep throat, according to coverage by ActiveLink. After becoming seriously unwell, he was admitted to the hospital expecting a routine infection treatment. Instead, he spent two weeks undergoing medical tests before receiving an unexpected diagnosis of IgA nephropathy. This chronic condition occurs when IgA proteins build up in the kidneys and cause inflammation that gradually impairs kidney function. Reilly noted that the diagnosis was a major shock to him and his parents, as no other family members had experienced kidney disease.
Managing Daily Health and Ongoing Treatment at Cavan General Hospital
While IgA nephropathy currently has no cure, Reilly manages his condition through careful dietary choices, particularly monitoring his salt intake to control blood pressure. He takes daily blood pressure medication, tracks his readings at home, and visits his nephrologist at Cavan General Hospital every six months for kidney function monitoring. His condition has remained stable, requiring lifelong management to prevent progression to kidney failure, where treatments would be limited to dialysis or a transplant.
Training and Fundraising Plans for the October Bank Holiday Weekend
Approximately a year and a half ago, Reilly began running to stay active and lose weight, eventually scaling up to major athletic challenges. He trained alongside his girlfriend, Megan Smith, with whom he completed the Santa Eulària Ibiza Marathon in April, and has also trained with local friends and received encouragement from his parents, Ann and Paul, alongside his younger twin siblings, Joanne and Patrick. Reilly hopes his fundraising campaign through Eventmaster will boost research into better treatments and a future cure for IgA nephropathy, while encouraging the public to request simple blood or urine kidney health checks from their GPs.
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