The greatest gift of all

PROUD Castleknock parents Sarah Dalton and her kidney donor husband, Conor, are supporting an online Christmas radio station to share their gratitude for their four-month-old ‘miracle’ baby, Anabelle.

Radio Snowflake is partnering with the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) to provide a festive mix of seasonal sounds and ask listeners to reflect on the ultimate gift of life that organ donation gives.

Sarah was diagnosed with kidney problems at the age of six and has undergone two kidney transplants. She expressed gratitude to the deceased donor for her first transplant which she received when she was 17 and which lasted over a decade.

That transplant allowed her to finish school, graduate from music college and meet future husband Conor.

However, in 2012 she returned to dialysis treatment meaning a second transplant was needed and In October 2013 the music teacher and Conor underwent a living donor kidney transplant at Beaumont Hospital.

The successful operation not only gave Sarah another chance at life, it also allowed the couple to start a family, and they celebrated their new arrival last August.

“Anabelle is our miracle baby,” Sarah said.

“I wouldn’t have been able to have children while on dialysis. We are besotted with her and it is all thanks to organ donation.”

Living donor transplants at Beaumont Hospital are on course to increase by 50 per cent this year, according to the recently published National Kidney Transplant Annual Report for 2015.

The report also shows Irish patients’ transplants are functioning an average of three years longer than their European counterparts.

Data collected over three decades from 400 European transplant centres shows 50 per cent of all the kidneys transplanted are still functioning after 11 years.

However, in patients transplanted at Beaumont Hospital, 50 per cent are still functioning after 14 years.

Beaumont Hospital is now on course to reach a 50 per cent increase in living donor transplant activity this year, with 46 living donor transplants performed since the start of 2016, up from 33 last year. 

It’s projected that a total of 50 living donor transplants will be completed by year end.

However, the IKA still wants to raise awareness of the plight of people with organ failure, and the vital importance of organ donation.

That’s why they’ve teamed up with Radio Snowflake this year.

“We are delighted that the Irish Kidney Association has been chosen as Radio Snowflake’s charity partner this Christmas,” said IKA National Project Manager, Colin White.

“As our registered charity actively promotes the gift of life through raising awareness about organ donation, Radio Snowflake’s support is very welcome and it’s particularly timely at a time of year when families come together to enjoy the festive season.

“It is an opportunity to take the time to discuss organ donation and let your loved ones know your wishes. It is your next-of- kin who will ensure that your wishes are followed through in the event of you being a potential organ donor so we encourage families to #HaveTheChat.”

Ireland’s original Christmas station, Radio Snowflake, enjoyed a large following in the 1980s broadcasting on FM and AM. With the emergence of online broadcast platforms, the station resurrected in 2013 under the management of David Baker, who is best known for his nightly shows on Kfm in Kildare.

“I’m looking forward to bringing the sound of Christmas back,” Baker said.

“I believe our style is unique and it’s different. Whilst we will play great favourites that everyone knows, the sound won’t be tacky and predictable and full of Christmas cracker jokes.  It’s a station everyone will enjoy and is the perfect mix for Christmas with top quality presenters.

“We are supporting a fantastic cause in the Irish Kidney Association and we plan to create great awareness about the work it does over the station’s 26 day run. 

“From accounts by the people who work there day to day, to families who have been called for a lifesaving organ transplant, there’ll be some real heart rending stories to hear.”

Radio Snowflake can be found online at www.radiosnowflake.com or download Radio Snowflake’s free official app from the Google Play Store or iTunes.