NORTHSIDERS are being asked to support the Organ Donor Awareness Week campaign, which takes place from March 29 to April 5.
The week also serves as a fundraising exercise for the Irish Kidney Association, which is organising the event.
Throughout the week, the association’s volunteers will be out on the streets, and in shopping centres throughout the country, selling ‘forget-me-not-flower’ emblems, brooches, pens and shopping trolley discs.
All proceeds will go towards the Irish Kidney Association’s aid for patients on dialysis and those patients fortunate enough to have received a transplant.
The Irish Kidney Association’s charitable activities include the provision of a 13-double bedroom free accommodation facility for patients and their families in the grounds of Beaumont Hospital.
Having seen first-hand the profound impact of organ donation on her friends and relatives, popular broadcaster Mary Kennedy has accepted the voluntary role of ambassador for Organ Donor Awareness 2014 on the 50th anniversary of Ireland’s first organ transplant.
In January 1964, the first transplant operation, a kidney transplant, took place at Jervis Street Hospital.
“It is a great honour to be asked by the Irish Kidney Association to help create awareness of the struggle for people with organ failure and to encourage conversations amongst families to consider organ donation in the event of untimely death,
? said Ms Kennedy.
“I think that most people have been touched by organ donation in some way. I have seen it from both sides. My late uncle, Tom White, who was like a second father to me, sadly passed away in 2002 having been on dialysis for many years with kidney failure.
“I am deeply aware that the heartache experienced by my dear friends Martina and Denis Goggin, when their only son Ã?amonn tragically died in 2006 was tempered with the great consolation that the lives of four people were saved through honouring their son’s wish that his organs be donated.
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There are over 600 people in Ireland awaiting life-saving heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas transplants. Thanks to the gift of organ donation over 3,000 people in Ireland are enjoying extended life.
In 2013 a record 294 organs were transplanted, 256 were as a result of the generosity of the families of 86 deceased donors and the remaining 38 were from living donors.
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
It is now possible to store an organ donor card, the
‘ecard’ on Smart mobile phones. Simply search for
‘Donor ECard’ at the IPhone Store or Android Market Place.