In November 2002, Stefan and Alex Buontempo from the Campaign for Social Housing launched an initiative to help install a lift outside the apartment building where Emanuel Pace from Birzebbuga lives.

Mr Pace is a frequent patient at the Renal Unit and is also a member of the Transplants Support Group. So Life Cycle was asked to help collect the funds required for the lift. Life Cycle president Alfred Debattista coordinated the project along with Anthony Bugeja, the media officer of the group and the Nursing Officer at the Renal Unit.

An appeal was launched for Lm10,000. Help was requested, and obtained, from the Housing Authority for other requirements in Mr Pace’s flat.

More help was obtained from the television programme Tista Tkun Int in obtaining the necessary permits from Mepa, and two contractors offered their help to prepare the place where the lift was to be installed, under the supervision of architect Alex Buontempo.

Life Cycle itself has offered the sum of Lm3,000, as the whole sum needed has not yet been raised. It is hoped that the project will soon reach a satisfactory conclusion.

Meanwhile, Life Cycle has presented Doppler equipment to consultant Mark Schembri. This equipment, which helps patients on haemodialysis who need vascular processing, is very important, especially for the 50 to 60 per cent of patients in the Renal Unit who suffer from diabetes.

In addition, Life Cycle has donated Lm500 to the Transplant Support Group for the purchase of a computer. This will help the group keep in contact with similar centres in Europe and to raise awareness regarding organ donation and research.