Local woman in desperate plea for kidney donor

A NORTHSIDE woman whose kidneys are failing is desperately hoping to find a suitable donor among her family members.

This is the second time that Clonshaugh local Mary Moore’s future hangs in the balance as she had a pancreas transplant 12 years ago.

The mum-of-two hopes that this time a suitable organ donor will be found closer to home.

“My kidneys are only functioning at about 20 per cent of what they should be,

? Mary told Northside People.

“Doctors have already inserted a fistula as there’s a chance that I’ll need dialysis before I get a transplant.

“I’m getting quite sick. I’m exhausted and have no energy. I got quite down and depressed before Christmas because of my condition and the fact that I had to have a skin cancer removed from beneath my eye.

“I had to have a skin graft and I think I was just trying to get used to how my face looked.

?

Some of Mary’s most recent health concerns have been side effects from her organ transplant. However, she insists the pros of having had a new lease of life over the last 12 years far outweigh the cons.

“I always knew that there was a risk of kidney damage from the immunosuppressant drugs (anti-rejection) I needed to take following my transplant,

? Mary explained.

“Also, you can be more prone to skin cancer but that’s nothing compared to what I had been going through before I got my pancreas transplant.

“I had suffered from diabetes for 22 years which caused my blood sugars to drop dramatically twice or three times a day.

“When this happened I would go unconscious which was really very scary and stressful for me, my family and those around me.

“My husband Jim would have to inject me with insulin.

“I had a few very close calls. One time I went unconscious in a swimming pool.

“It was not a nice way to live and very risky for me to be on my own.

?

Mary’s world changed for the better in 2001 when she had a pancreas transplant that bought her 12 invaluable years of good health.

“I’m trying to stay very positive about the transplant and hoping that one of my daughters Amy or Ciara or my sisters Breda or Geraldine will be identified as suitable donors,

? she explained.

“I think the doctors will start checking my family in the coming days and weeks to find out who is compatible.

?

Organ Donor Awareness Week (March 30-April 6) aims to raise awareness about the ongoing and ever increasing demand for organ donation and transplantation.

There are currently over 600 people in Ireland awaiting life saving organ transplants including heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas.

While she patiently awaits a kidney transplant, Mary counts herself lucky to have her team of doctors at Beaumont Hospital.

“My doctors and transplant surgeon Mr Hickey are absolutely fantastic,

? she added.

“The lotto money wouldn’t pay them enough for the wonderful work they do.

“They are more like family and friends to me than doctors because of how much they mean to me.

?

Organ Donor Cards can also be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association LoCall 1890 543639 or Freetext the word DONOR to 50050. Visit www.ika.ie for more information.