Organ donations highlighted

THIS year’s Organ Donation Awareness Week highlighted the urgent need for more donors to come forward across the country.

A number of people told their own personal stories about the effect that successful transplant operations had on their lives.

There are over 3,000 people in Ireland now enjoying extended life as a result of organ transplantation.

The Mater Hospital conducted a record number of heart and lung transplant operations in 2014.

It was also a record year for kidney transplants for children while more living donor kidney transplants were carried out last year than ever before.

Since the Living Donor Kidney Programme commenced at Beaumont Hospital eight years ago, a total of 195 living donor kidney transplants have taken place.

Nowadays a quarter of all kidney transplants are from living donors with a record 40 being carried out last year.

Chief executive of the Irish Kidney Association, Mark Murphy, recognised the selfless act of organ donation by grieving families.

“Organ donation, following death in the very specific circumstances required for it to be considered, should be seen as normal,

? he stated.

Mr Murphy said that as part of the IKA’s remit, the new Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland (ODTI) has been tasked with making organ donation normal.

“The Irish Kidney Association, which has for over three decades promoted organ donation, looks forward to partnering with the HSE’s ODTI to further expand organ donation thus leading to more organ transplants,

? he added.

One of the success stories that emerged during the week was that of Paddy O’Mahony (62).

The retired fire brigade district officer, originally from Portrane and now living in Marino, was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in late 2010. He received his lung transplant in January 2013.

Initially Paddy’s prognosis after being diagnosed was bleak but further medical consultation offered him more hope and he was put on a new drug called pirfenidone, designed to slow down the progression of IPF.

He got called three times for his transplant and on the third occasion it proceeded and his lung transplant operation was a success.

He returned to work after six months at Tara Street Station, where he started his career and eventually retired last November after 37 years’ service.

The nature of his job heightened his awareness of organ donation and the need for blood donations. He was also aware from a young age of the need for blood donations, as his mother had received blood transfusions.

Paddy, who has four grandchildren and is married to Pauline, always carries a donor card.

Following on from the success of a cycle event he took part in with the Dublin Fire Brigade last May, he is organising another fundraising cycle with his former work colleagues for the Irish Health and Lung Association on June 14.

He was also delighted to be able to take part in the Heart and Lung Transplant Games in Lithuania last year in cycling and returned home with a bronze medal for golf.

Paddy sent a letter of thanks anonymously to the family of his organ donor and while expressing his gratitude, said he hoped he would never let his donor down.

?¢Organ Donor Cards can be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association LoCall 1890 543639 or Freetext the word DONOR to 50050. Also, you can visit www.ika.ie for more information.