A NORTHSIDE lung transplant recipient recently organised two cycle races to raise funds for the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association (ILFA) and awareness of lung fibrosis and organ donation.
Former IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) patient, Paddy O’Mahony, from Marino, joined a host of personalities and Dublin Fire Brigade members for the 40km and 100km races.
Senator Feargal Quinn, a vocal supporter of organ donation, and Dublin GAA star Michael Darragh MacAuley gave the starters orders to get the cycle underway at the fire brigade training ground in Marino.
Paddy, who has worked with Dublin Fire Brigade for almost 30 years, was diagnosed with IPF in April 2010 in Beaumont Hospital and his life expectancy at that time was just three years.
“I had a very aggressive form of IPF and needed oxygen each and every day,
? he told Northside People.
“In 2012, it was decided by my doctors that I met the criteria to be put on the transplant list and in early 2013, I received a lung transplant.
“The transplant and the help and support that the doctors, nurses and surgeons gave me over the years from my diagnosis to the transplant, was enormous – my life has changed dramatically.
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Paddy said organ donors and their families made this change possible.
“From here on in, my focus is to promote organ donation and the powerful part it can play in ordinary people’s lives like mine,
? he added.
IPF is a chronic, debilitating and life-limiting lung disease of unknown cause. Patients develop progressive and severe breathlessness and fatigue and struggle do to everyday tasks.
There is no cure for IPF, but lung transplantation is a life-saving treatment for many patients who meet the strict criteria to undergo the complex operation.
Patients who receive a lung transplant usually have a very good prognosis with improved health and wellbeing.
Since 2006, more than 70 lung transplants have been carried out at the National Lung Transplant Unit at the Mater Hospital.
In 2013, a record 31 lung transplant operations were performed and 12 of these were in IPF patients. However, there are over 650 people waiting on life saving organ transplant operations in Ireland for lungs, hearts, kidneys, liver and pancreas.
For more information on ILFA, the cycle and how donate, visit www.ilfa.ie, find ILFA on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ILFAIreland or follow ILFA on Twitter @ILFA_Ireland