The event will include a presentation centred on facing mortality with chronic disease, by Dr Jimmy McAleavey, currently a Lecturer in Creative Writing at the Seamus Heaney Centre/School of English, Queens University Belfast. Jimmy is an acclaimed scriptwriter and has written for feature films, written and directed short films, scripted TV drama and produced and directed factual TV.

We also plan a film viewing of a piece created by our newly established Renal Arts Group in collaboration with patients, academics and healthcare staff. The film portrays the devastating diagnosis of renal disease, with no cure, and the demanding treatments to be endured as health deteriorates whilst waiting for the elusive kidney transplant, not always available and in short supply.
A debate around improving knowledge of kidney disease and how we might improve the kidney donor rate will be held. This will be co-facilitated by a kidney surgeon and a patient.

For further information or to register for this event, please contact Dr Helen Noble at Queen’s University Belfast.