More than 45 delegates attending the British and Dutch Transplantation Societies’ Congress at Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) were up bright and early today for a Kidney Research UK fun run to mark World Kidney Day on Thursday 12 March 2015.
The runners met at the BIC at 6.30am and picked up their T-shirt and snazzy purple headband, before running or walking to Boscombe Pier and back to the BIC to collect their medal.
Joining them on the run was BH Live Director of Venues, Pat Coyne,
“One in ten people will be affected by kidney disease at some point in their lives, many of them needing a transplant,” he says. “The British and Dutch transplant societies have gathered in Bournemouth this week to share knowledge and improve outcomes for kidney patients. It was great to see so many of them getting on board early today to help raise funds for kidney research.”
Making the most of Bournemouth’s coastal location and the occasion of World Kidney Day, exhibitors Kidney Research UK, who fund research into the causes, prevention and treatments for kidney disease, were delighted by the response.
“6,000 people, around 90% of the total organ waiting list, are waiting for a kidney,” says Elaine Davies, Director of Research Operations at Kidney Research UK. “Fewer than 3,000 transplants are carried out each year and someone dies every day in the UK waiting for a kidney. Having the congress coincide with World Kidney Day gave us a great opportunity to build awareness of kidney health and raise funds for kidney research – and it was fantastic to see more than 45 delegates join us for the run.”
About World Kidney Day
Celebrated on the second Thursday in March, the mission of World Kidney Day (WKD)is to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.
On March 12, 2015, World Kidney Day is inviting everyone to use their app to take a selfie drinking a glass of water and give one too to celebrate their kidneys – and then share it @worldkidneyday and https://www.facebook.com/worldkidneydayofficial with the message: “Today I celebrate #worldkidneyday. I drink and give a #glassofwater because #isupportwkd”.
Pictures will appear in the photo gallery on the World Kidney Day website www.worldkidney.org
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Notes to the editor
About BH Live
BH Live is the South Coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues – a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives. With over 2.5 million visits a year and over £31 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives – placing it at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. In 2013/14, BH Live hosted 423 shows, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets, clocked up 1.8 million leisure centre visits and welcomed 88,000 conference and exhibition delegates which contributed over £45 million to the local economy.
About Bournemouth International Centre (BIC)
Bournemouth International Centre is managed and operated by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council. Hosting over 45 conferences and exhibitions a year and with licensed capacity for 10,000 delegates, it is the South Coast’s largest and most versatile event venue. The centre attracts major players in the public and private sector, bringing millions of pounds into the local economy through employment, business tourism and partner organisations.
For further press information:
Elizabeth Symmons
PR & Corporate Communications Executive, BH Live
Elizabeth.Symmons@bhlive.co.uk
01202 451866