'I have a mom with two sick kidneys'

A Cork boy whose mum has end-stage kidney disease has raised over €1,000 for kidney patients by collecting recyclable cans and bottles.

Jordy, 10, has three wishes in life: to become a pilot, to help the homeless, and to see his mummy Val getting a new kidney.

Val, originally from France but living in Cork for over 30 years, has spent the past ten years volunteering to support people living on the streets of Cork. She now has only 7% kidney function and is on the transplant waiting list.

Following in his mum’s compassionate footsteps, Jordy has worked tirelessly over the past two years to raise as mush funds as he can for both the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) and for Cork’s homeless community.

Val said: “He is also deeply committed to his recycling mission for charity, even collecting stray bottles and cans during family walks, always bringing a bag with him to collect them. A gift of cans of Blarney Brewing lager even travelled to his French granddad in Brittany and the empties returned on the ferry in Cork!”

At this time of year, the IKA’s online Christmas Tree of Hope is a place people can come to donate to the charity and leave a message of support. Sitting proudly atop the tree is Jordy’s message.

It reads: “Hello, my name is Jordy. I'm 10 years old and I have a mom with two sick kidneys. With mom's friends and customers, we are recycling bottles and cans to give money for the Kidney Association. Recycle your bottles at home please.”

Val, who worked with tech giant Apple for almost two decades, has spent the past ten years supporting vulnerable people experiencing homelessness in Cork, bringing warm clothing, food, and crucial human connection. Some of the people she helps are living with addiction, are in and out of recovery, or have mental health issues.

Recently, Val’s declining kidney function has forced her to reduce her nightly street work. She now meets her “street friends”, as she affectionately likes to call them, mostly by day, and nearly every day.

For Val, it is very important that there is no mystery or fear surrounding her illness for her son.

She said: “I have always been open with Jordy about my condition, bringing him with me to CUH for some of my appointments so he can understand what kidney failure means and why I sometimes become exhausted. This openness has only strengthened his determination to help and gives him a sense of empowerment.”

To donate to IKA and help Val and others like her, visit ika.ie/hope/.