A public health information day for people with kidney failure and diabetes is being held in Sligo this weekend.

Thousands of people in Ireland have diabetes and one possible complication of this condition is kidney disease. This can eventually lead to kidney failure, requiring a kidney transplant.

The information day has been organised by the Sligo branch of the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) and is open to all members of the public.

Guest speakers will include a consultant nephrologist, a dietician and a transplant co-ordinator. A counselor from the IKA will also discuss the psychological impact of living with organ failure.

One of the organisers of the event, IKA Sligo branch member, Marie Fowley, is herself a kidney and pancreas transplant recipient.

"I hope that other kidney and diabetic patients will find this awareness event of immense help in securing the best possible outcome both mentally and physically. I hope that by sharing information and experiences on the chain of events that take place from diagnosis right through to transplantation, it will greatly benefit others," she commented.

The event will take place at the Sligo Park Hotel on Saturday, April 20, from 2-6pm. Admission is free of charge.

For more information, contact Ms Fowley on 086 082 6242.