A family member had a genetic condition called polycystic kidney disease and needed a transplant.
Grandmother Margaret Fitzgerald, 70, from Butevant, and her son Michael Fitzgerald, 49, from Carrigaline, who both have the genetic disease Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), underwent crucial kidney transplant surgery from a deceased donor just seven weeks apart at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
Margaret underwent transplant surgery in November, following Michael's surgery in September, saving them both from the disease that killed Margaret's mother, Elizabeth, at the age of 46. Incredibly, less than six months before mother and son underwent their transplants, Margaret's nephew, Joe Cott, had received a living donor kidney transplant, also at Beaumont Hospital, thanks to his brother, Michael.
Last year ended on a positive note with three successful transplant surgeries, but in early 2023, Margaret's brother Joseph Cotto – who had a kidney transplant more than 30 years ago – passed away at the age of 77 after a short battle with illness.
But before he died, he learned that Ballyclough farmer's son Joe would receive a kidney from his brother Michael, an engineer based in Claremorris, Co Mayo. The transplant between the brothers was a success, bringing comfort to a family recently grieving.
As the years passed, Margaret and her son Michal were forced to deal with the complications of kidney failure, but fate unexpectedly stepped in. In late September, Margaret was delighted when she received an unexpected call informing her that Michael should travel to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin for a kidney transplant.
But fate had another surprise in store for the Koch family: Just seven weeks later, in the first week of November, Margaret received the call about her own transplant, leaving her in a state of disbelief and gratitude that she and her son had received the gift of life in quick succession.
The transplant went as planned and the donor's generosity has given the family new spirit. Speaking of the family's third consecutive transplant, Margaret said the events of the past year have left them hopeful and grateful.
“It was totally unexpected how quickly my nephew and son had successful transplants and I couldn't believe it when I was called in for my own transplant just seven weeks after my son's. I had expected to have to wait a few years so I was just delighted that my son and nephew had successful transplants,” Margaret explained to the Irish Kidney Society.
“My kidney function had dropped below 10 percent and I was about to start dialysis when I received the referral for a transplant. I had been feeling unwell and fatigued for a long time, but I never imagined how much of a difference a transplant would make. I am still amazed at how instantly I had more energy and how the little things in life, like shopping and spending time with my grandchildren, became so much easier.
“I couldn't believe it when I got the call. When I woke up after the transplant I felt like I was magically completely changed. A transplant is life-changing.”
Margaret's son Michael said he “cannot express in words” how grateful he is to the donor's family for “changing my life, freeing me from the illness, the restrictions and the dialysis I had to undergo twice a week for 21 months at CUH”.
Michael's cousin, Jo Cott, said his brother was “very lucky” to have been able to avoid being put on a transplant waiting list.
During Organ Donation Awareness Week 2024, which runs from 20th to 27th April, the Irish Kidney Association is urging families to talk to each other about organ donation.
“By applying for an organ donor card (www.ika.ie/donorcard) you can let the 600+ people currently waiting to 'hear' and their families know that someone is thinking of them. Only around 1% of people die in a situation where an organ donation could be made, so you cannot afford to miss out on an opportunity because you don't know what someone's wishes are.”
