Wicklow Native Maurice used the opportunity to become an organ donor to the public to improve the lives of those awaiting transplants.
The 12-year-old was diagnosed with cancer and the treatment he received to combat the illness caused his heart to deteriorate. He had a heart transplant in 1995 and was transplanted at a family and friends gathering at Wicklow Golf Club, so he decided to celebrate the major milestones of 30 years.
“First, we attended St. Patrick's Mass in memory of my family donors and their families, and I was not yet here just for them.
“We were joined by about 23 people for lunch at Wicklow Golf Club.
Maurice has lived in Bettystown, Cocomie for the past eight years, and last September he married a Mees woman from Aoife.
He commented: “She's something else.”
In 2011, Maurice placed his liver transplant on the waiting list for a year and a half after side effects from an anti-rejection tablet he ingested after a heart transplant had a negative effect on his kidneys. Unfortunately, Maurice suffered a major heart attack and brain hemorrhage in 2018.
Gretna Cabana, Edward Cabana and Jackie Kerns were with Maurice Cabana (front) in a celebration at Wicklow Golf Club.
“I've already suffered from heart failure and kidney failure, and dialysis is to keep me alive at this point. My heart is too weak to go under anesthesia, so I can't get a kidney or heart transplant.
“During Christmas I got really bad and when I made it I really went to touch it. I had sepsis and the diagnosis wasn't good, but someone there was looking down at me or didn't feel like it was my time yet.”
Meanwhile, Maurice wants to emphasize the importance of becoming an organ donor. At any time in Ireland, approximately 600 people will be active on the waiting list for organ transplants such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas. 282 Organ transplant operations were carried out in Ireland in 2023.
“When the time comes, it can be a very sad event for the donor's family, but at least they can take some comfort from the fact that their organs can make the lives of others safe. Just for the goodwill of my donor's family. I've been gone for a long time.”
