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The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
‘Her generosity is beyond words' says Irish farmer who received kidney from goddaughter 32 years after first transplant
AN Irish farmer received a kidney from his goddaughter 32 years after his first transplant - and he said "her generosity is beyond words". As Organ Donor Awareness Week comes to an end, Michael Fennessy explained how his second kidney 3 A farmer said a transplant from his goddaughter saved his life Credit: Irish Kidney Association 3 His story is coming to light during Organ Donor Awareness Week Credit: Irish Kidney Association A farmer from Cahir Katie, now in her 30s, had been a flower girl at Michael and his wife Carmel's wedding three decades ago, which was almost postponed due to his first kidney transplant. At that time, Michael was 27 and struggling with serious health issues when a call came just days before the He said: 'I was 27 when I got my first transplant. READ MORE IN HEALTH 'I was really struggling with my health at the time. Carmel and I had a wedding date set, the invitations were issued, but my health was in decline. 'Then, out of the blue, we got the call to say a deceased donor kidney had become available and this was just 6 days before we were due to marry.' The pair eventually tied the knot with a new sense of gratitude - and his goddaughter Katie had her moment as the flower girl like planned. Over the years, Michael and Katie remained close and when his kidney began to decline again decades later, she didn't hesitate to be tested as a potential living donor. Most read in The Irish Sun Michael said: 'Katie is both my niece and my goddaughter from before my children were born. 'When she offered to be tested, I was deeply moved. It's not something you can ever take for granted.' I'm the first human patient to receive a pig heart transplant - the 'shot in the dark' could save my life She was one of several Tests showed it was Katie who proved to be the best match and her decision to donate gave Michael a second chance at life once again. Michael continued: 'Her generosity is beyond words. I'll never be able to thank her enough.' Michael and Carmel now have three adult children and they always honoured the anniversary of his first transplant with a mass and family gatherings. Only a few months after donating her kidney, Katie moved to And although she left Ireland, Michael said her incredible act of love and generosity will remain part of her legacy at home. He added: 'I've been given a second chance again. 'To get 32 years from the first kidney was a blessing from a deceased donor family. 'And now, to have Katie give me another chance with renewed health, it's something I'll be forever grateful for.' ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS WEEK Running until May 17, Organ Donor Awareness Week is a campaign led by the Irish Kidney Association and Organ Donation Transplant Ireland to encourage more conversations about organ donation. In 2024, the 263 organ Among these were 175 kidney transplants, 53 liver transplants, 16 heart transplants, 15 lung transplants and 4 pancreas transplants. And there are still 676 people waiting for life saving transplants in Ireland, with over 500 of whom in need of a kidney. To support organ donation, the Irish Kidney Association said you can start by talking to your loved ones and making your wishes known. You can also request a free Organ Donor Card from their website at To order an organ donor card, click 3 She was the flower girl at his wedding over 30 years prior Credit: Irish Kidney Association
Irish Examiner
12-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Increase in organ donation to 1% of deaths could eliminate transplant waiting lists, top doctor says
An increase in organ donors from 0.5% of all deaths to 1% could eliminate transplant waiting lists if more people knew about this option, a top doctor has estimated. Starting on June 17, Ireland will have an opt-out system of consent for organ donation. Anyone who does not want to be a donor can register this with the HSE. Their relatives will not be asked about donation when they die. Families of people who are not on the register can be asked if they would consider donation. Organ Donation Transplant Ireland national director Dr Brian O'Brien called on people to discuss donation with their families and find out about how they can help others. 'About 30,000 people die every year in Ireland, and less than 100 people are organ donors,' he said. If we could increase organ donation from being about 0.5% to 1% we would probably be close to eliminating organ donation waiting lists. The latest lists show more than 600 people waiting for organs, including hearts, lungs and livers. More than 500 of them are waiting for a kidney. 'There's about 600 people awaiting transplant at any one time, and 1% of the 30,000 [annual] deaths would be 300,' Dr O'Brien told the Irish Examiner. 'Your average donor gives two to three organs — two kidneys, sometimes their heart or sometimes lungs.' Dr O'Brien, consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine at Cork University Hospital, said people were more likely to need a transplant than to be a donor. The Human Tissue Act 2024 commences in just over four weeks. He predicted: 'The change in legislation isn't likely to change the numbers terribly much but what we do need is for people to discuss their wishes with their families.' Dr O'Brien hopes very few will opt out, adding: 'Clearly, some people have strong views on this and we must respect their views.' Many people are not suitable to become donors as their organs may be damaged by cancer or other diseases. 'Most surveys would indicate that in Ireland, over 90% of people — depending on the age group — are willing to donate their organs should they die,' he said. 'We need to find ways to increase the numbers of people who actually do.' Changes in sudden death patterns also affect transplants. 'In recent decades, we're getting better outcomes from strokes, and we're getting fewer fatal road traffic accidents,' he said. However changes in cardiac medicine have seen a rise in donations after cardiac death and he said this "now accounts for about a quarter to a third of all donors". Dr O' Brien was speaking during the launch of Organ Donor Awareness Week, which is currently running. Irish Kidney Association chief executive Carol Moore said she looked forward to changes from the new legislation. '[Last year] 84 families, in the most tragic of circumstances, selflessly consented to their loved one's organs being donated,' she said. 'These individual acts of humanity have saved and transformed lives across Ireland and are an example to us all.'
