Castleknock man’s transplant journey

A NORTHSIDER who had an organ transplant last year has spoken about his experience in an effort to encourage others to carry a donor card.

Six years ago, Martin Cahill, from Castleknock, developed a kidney disease called glomerulonephritis and was on medication for three years before developing full-blown kidney failure over Christmas 2014.

He was put on dialysis at the Fresenius Medical Care Clinic, Northern Cross, and was traumatised by the experience.

“I wouldn’t be the bravest of patients – a visit to the dentist has always been enough to send me into a faint!” he said.

“However, the staff at the clinic were brilliant and eased me into the procedure with great care and understanding.”

Martin spent the next two and a half years on dialysis and developed a warm, friendly relationship with the staff and his fellow-patients

“The atmosphere at the clinic was one of professionalism, kindness and support,” he said. “Professor Conlon was my consultant 

from day one and I would like to thank him.”

Last June, Martin got the ‘miracle call’ that all those on transplant waiting lists pray to get. There was a kidney waiting for him at Beaumont, and he needed to get there fast.

“Believe it or not, I was playing golf and didn’t hear my mobile ring,” he recalled.

“Thankfully my wife was contacted and she rushed to Clontarf Golf Club and came flying down the 16th fairway on a buggy. After I got my ‘ears boxed’ I went straight to Beaumont.”

The transplant was performed by surgeon Dilly Little and thankfully it was a complete and immediate success, allowing Martin to go from strength-to-strength over the following months.

“My overall health has improved enormously,” he says.

“I can more or less eat what I like, I can travel, my energy level is back to normal and I’m playing golf again (as badly as ever)! 

“After my transplant when I was well enough I went back to the Fresenius Medical Care Clinic to thank everybody for the care I received while on dialysis. There was great joy at my news, as there always is when a patient gets a transplant – it gives everybody a lift.”

Martin has been a member of the Irish Kidney Association for several years and after his transplant he got more involved with his local Dublin North branch. 

Last October he attended the IKA’s Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving.

“As a transplant recipient it was a great privilege to join other transplant recipients in honouring and expressing our gratitude to the huge number of donor families in attendance,” he said.

“Their generosity and compassion in making the decision to give the ‘gift of life’ to another person at a time of their own terrible loss and grief is truly heroic and inspirational.

“It was especially poignant for me when we placed our candles on the altar in memory of my own anonymous donor.”

Organ Donor Awareness Week is taking place until April 5. Families are being encouraged to talk to each other about organ donation and keep the reminders of their willingness to donate visible by carrying the organ donor card and permitting Code 115 to be included on their driver’s license.