They're off!

The wheels of Life Cycle 2002 began turning yesterday afternoon, kicking off a nine-day fund-raising cycling challenge from Malta to Assisi.

'Assisi - a journey of hope', as the fourth edition of the charity adventure is called, is being carried out by 33 volunteers, who are cycling over 170km per day for nine days, come rain or shine, to raise money for patients whose life depends on kidney dialysis.

The Life Cycle Organisation, founded in 1999, aims to create awareness and generate support for patients suffering from end-stage renal failure (chronic kidney disease).

The aim of the activity is to raise between Lm10,000 and Lm15,000 - as has been done in the previous years - to procure a dialysis machine, which costs in the region of Lm12,000.

A number of kidney machines are required for the extension of the renal unit at St Luke's Hospital.

The cyclists, who have been vigorously training for five months, are being accompanied by a 13-strong back-up team, including a doctor and physiotherapist. They embarked on their gruelling, 1,500-km journey from St Aloysius College yesterday afternoon.

They cycled to St Luke's Hospital where they were blessed and on to Valletta, Sliema, Bugibba, Mosta, Naxxar and Pembroke barracks, where they spent the night before crossing to Pozzallo, Sicily, early this morning.

Their travels are taking them around Mount Etna and over the Appenines. Lodging is in tents and food is being provided by volunteers in a mobile kitchen. Moreover, cyclists are using moutain bikes and not sleek racing bikes and would have to repair any breakages themselves at their own expenses.

Their departure was attended by Education Minister Louis Galea and St Aloysius College rector, Fr Charles Caruana.

The Life Cycle challenges of the past four years, the destinations of which have included Newcastle and France, have enabled the purchase of eight dialysis machines, as well as other equipment related to the treatment of patients.

There are currently about 160 patients on haemodialysis, or peritoneal dialysis at the renal unit in St Luke's Hospital - 85 patients are on haemodialysis and need to attend four-hourly treatment sessions three times a week, while 75 patients are on peritoneal dialysis, meaning they undergo special treatment at home.

The ages of the patients range from six to over 80. Their lives depend on dialysis, without which they would die. Their only hope to stop treatment is by undergoing a transplant, which is, unfortunately, very rare and means that more and more patients would remain on dialysis for the rest of their lives.

Such extensive treatment leads to major disruptions in the patient's way of life, but refusing treatment is not an option, being lethal.

The ever-increasing number of patients requires the government to upgrade the services regularly to provide the quantity required and the optimum quality.

For each patient on haemodialysis, the government spends approximately Lm10,000 per year.

Some patients cannot receive a transplant due to age, or adverse side effects, and must therefore remain on dialysis for the rest of their lives.

It is estimated that the running cost to treat the current number of patients for one year is over Lm1,600,000. Dialysis treatment has been described as a bottomless pit, regarding the need for funds.

Donations may be sent to Life Cycle Organisation, c/o Renal Unit, St Luke's Hospital, Guardamangia.

Donations may also be made to the following bank accounts: HSBC 61141628050; BoV 14814521017.

Donations may be made via Vodafone SMS: 617317 for Lm1; 617900 for Lm2; 618816 for Lm3; and 613700 to send comments (10c) to cyclists.

Donations via Go mobile SMS may be made on 600222 for Lm2; and 600333 for Lm3.

Donations may also be made on line on www.lifecyclechallenge.com