The Renal Unit at Mater Dei Hospital offers patients receiving treatment for kidney conditions, such as haemodialysis, the opportunity to do such treatments late in the evening, which is more convenient for them because of their employment.  This can be challenging for relatives who need to drive them to hospital and call for them again in the early hours of the morning.

For this reason, LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation supports the Twilight shift with a van service on an annual basis and makes it easier for the patients' families when providing transport to and from the Renal Unit three times a week.

Currently, more than 220 patients require haemodialysis treatment at the Renal Unit. For three times a week, the patients have to undergo four hours of dialysis, attached to a blood cleaning machine. This is a very aggressive treatment which leaves the patient quite debilitated and unsafe at times to drive back home.

"Patients receiving dialysis during the Twilight shift do not disrupt their daily work schedule. Since its initiation, way back in 2012, Lifecycle has pioneered the provision of adequate transport for these patients. This service is a blessing both for the patients and their dear ones, who otherwise would have to do an average of six late evening trips per week," said Renal Unit charge nurse Paul Calleja.

"With LifeCycle's contribution to maintain and run the Twilight shift van, we are facilitating a service consisting of a stress-free pick-up from the patients' homes to hospital and back," said LifeCycle founder Alan Curry. "Thanks to the dedicated staff at the Renal Unit, patients can take the dialysis treatment in the evenings, with less stress since they know that transport is provided, while they can still support their job during day time.

For the past 21 years, LifeCycle has supported the needs of kidney disease patients and their families, as well as furthering awareness on organ transplants in Malta in collaboration with the Transplant Support Group. Last November the LifeCycle Foundation set up the new project Rush to offer a comprehensive support network for patients.

Nescafé 3in1 is the title sponsor of the 2019 and 2020 editions of LifeCycle Challenge. Twenty-seven brave LifeCyclists have taken up the gruelling challenge of 2,000km across Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia at this year's Nescafé 3in1 LifeCycle Challenge.

Donations can be sent to Revolut 99329101 or .

Further information can be obtained from www.lifecyclefoundation.com or from the FB: https://www.facebook.com/LifeCycleChallenge/