Lara happy to give back to charity in marathon
Lara and Bryan Duignan at the World Transplant Games in Dresden in 2025.
A CARLOW nurse is running the Dublin marathon to raise funds for the Irish Kidney Association in appreciation of the life-changing kidney transplant her husband received 20 years ago.
Lara Duignan, who is from Palatine and works as a GP nurse at The Oaks Family Practice in Carlow town, is preparing to run her first full marathon on 25 October in gratitude for the transplant her husband Bryan received in 2006.
Bryan, a native of Nenagh, Co Tipperary, was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome at 12 years of age. He spent almost a year on dialysis after suffering kidney failure before receiving a transplant at Beaumont Hospital in June 2006.
Fast-forward 20 years and Bryan is living a healthy life. He and Lara are happily married and have three children, having celebrated their wedding last November.
The couple are extremely active and regularly train together for triathlons. Last weekend, Bryan undertook a challenge of his own at Ironman Portugal-Cascais. Bryan has also proudly represented Ireland at multiple World Transplant Games since 2023.
Last year’s World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany were particularly special for the family. Lara served as team nurse for Transplant Sport Ireland, while their eldest son Alex was the team photographer.
The money raised by Lara will help the Irish Kidney Association continue its vital work supporting kidney patients and their families, as well as promoting organ donation.
Lara says she has been deeply touched by the generosity of patients visiting her workplace.
“Running my first full marathon will take me well outside my comfort zone, but I wanted to do something special to mark the 20th anniversary of Bryan’s transplant. His transplant has given us so much as a family and this is my way of celebrating the gift of life he received, honouring his donor and supporting the great work of the Irish Kidney Association,” Lara said.
She is appealing to the public to support her marathon challenge and donations can be made through her Irish Kidney Association page. Link:
https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/LD20015663
