RTE show to feature family’s health battle

THE story of a
Southside man who is battling kidney disease alongside his two brothers and
some of their children is to be featured on RTE’s Nationwide programme as part
of Organ Donor Awareness Week.

Jack O’Brien,
and his two brothers – Michael and Brendan
– who are all in their mid to late fifties, suffer from polycystic
kidney disease.

The disorder,
which is passed down through families, can potentially lead to kidney failure
and those suffering from the disease have to undergo dialysis on an ongoing
basis.

Jack and one of
his brothers, Michael, are receiving treatment at the Beacon Hospital in
Sandyford.

Both are currently
on a waiting list for kidney transplants and will undergo the operation when a
suitable donor comes forward.

Another
brother, Brendan, is enjoying renewed life through kidney transplantation.

Between them
the three brothers have seven children and four of them have been diagnosed
with the same condition.

The family’s
story will feature on RTE’s Nationwide programme, which will be broadcast on
April 2.

Last year,
Jack’s wife Dorothy, a national school teacher in Churchtown, raised

?¬10,000 by
skydiving from a height of 13,000 feet to raise funds for the Irish Kidney
Association.

She said her
own 24-year-old son has also recently been diagnosed with the condition.

She explained
that the disease doesn’t generally affect people until they get into their late
40s or early 50s and her husband’s life has been greatly impacted by the
disease.

“Jack is
getting dialysis three days a week and it takes four hours each time,

? she
said.

Dorothy had
always wanted to skydive and found the jump an exhilarating experience.

“I said that if
I was going to do it I was going to do it for the Irish Kidney Association,

?
she added.

“I was really
nervous before I got into the plane but after that I was fine.

“It is a long,
long way up. We were above the clouds. It would be terrifying for some people
but I enjoy a bit of a buzz and it was a great. You could actually see the
curvature of the earth it was that
high.

?

Organ Donation
Week is organised by the Irish Kidney Association and supported by the Irish
Donor Network. It takes place from March 31 until April 7.

The focus of
the week is to raise awareness about the ongoing and increasing demand for
organ donation and transplantation. It also asks the public to make an informed
decision to carry an organ donor card.

Cards can be
obtained by tel the Irish Kidney Association on LoCall 1890543639 or Freetext
the word DONOR to 50050. For more information visit www.ika.ie