In 2023, an unusual series of events occurs in a family spread across north and east counties Cork and Mayo, resulting in three successive kidney transplants in six months, including one to a farmer in north Cork. .
Grandmother Margaret Fitzgerald, 70, lives in Butebend, north Cork, and her 49-year-old son Michael Fitzgerald, who is based in Carrigaline, received a kidney from a donor who died just seven weeks apart. received a transplant.
For Margaret it was the first week of November and for Michael it was late September.
What made their journey even more amazing was that less than six months later, Margaret's nephew Joe Cotto, a farmer in north Cork, was given a new job in Dublin, thanks to his kidney donor brother Michael. He received a living donor kidney transplant at Beaumont Hospital.
The genetic disease called polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which tragically claimed the life of Margaret's mother Elizabeth, was passed on to two of Margaret's six children, including her brother.
Last year started with a sad turn of events. Margaret's older brother, Joseph Kot, was also from Buttevant and had a kidney transplant over 30 years ago, but after a short battle with illness, he passed away in March 2023 at the age of 77.
Despite the grief, his wife Ita, their adult children, and Margaret's family are grateful that Joseph lived a full and healthy life and, thanks to a deceased kidney donor, was a loving father and devoted grandfather. I took solace in the fact that I was enjoying something.
Before his death, Joseph received good news that his son Joe Cotto would soon receive a donor kidney from his other son, Michael.
Joe, a farmer from Ballyclough, north Cork, had only been on dialysis for a few weeks before his brother Michael Cot, from Claremorris, Co. Mayo, was willing to donate his kidney.
The brothers were overjoyed to be confirmed as a “perfect match” and able to proceed with the surgery.
On April 24, 2023, Joe and Michael Kot underwent living donor kidney transplant surgery at Beaumont Hospital. This heartbreaking outcome brought comfort to the family in the midst of bereavement.
As Margaret and her son Michael Fitzgerald navigated the complications of kidney failure, fate unexpectedly intervened.
In late September, Margaret's son Michael received an unexpected call to go to Beaumont Hospital for a kidney transplant. Margaret said how happy he was to see the change in her son and the spark of new life made possible by his deceased donor family.
More surprises were in store for the Koch family. Less than seven weeks later, Margaret herself received her call for a transplant in the first week of November 2023. Her twist of fate left Margaret reeling in disbelief and gratitude that she and her son had received the gift of life in rapid succession.
After each successful transplant, families' spirits were lifted by the donor's generosity and the promise of a brighter, healthier future.
Margaret, her son Michael, and cousin Joe Cotto embraced their newfound blessing in life with deep gratitude.
Michael said: “My brother Joseph's transplant has outlived him by more than 30 years, and this year our family has received one transplant after another in an incredibly short period of time, which fills us with hope and gratitude.
“It was very unexpected that my nephew and son's transplants were successful twice, but I couldn't believe it when I was asked to have one too, just seven weeks after my son's. I was resigned to having to wait several years, but I was just happy that my son and nephew's transplants were successful.”
Michael's kidney function had fallen below 10% and he was about to start dialysis treatment when he was told he needed a transplant.
“I had been feeling unwell and tired for a long time, but I had no idea how much of a difference a transplant would make.
“Immediately my energy skyrocketed and I am still amazed at how simple things in life are now so much easier, like going shopping and having endless time to spend with my grandchildren.
“I couldn't believe it when I got the call. When I woke up after the transplant, it felt almost magical. I felt completely transformed. Transplants are life-changing.” said Michael.
kidney transplant
Michael says how much he is grateful to the family of his deceased donor for changing his life and freeing him from the dialysis he had to undergo twice a week for 21 months at Cork University, and the dialysis that tied him to the disease. He added that he couldn't express in words how much he was doing. Hospital (CUH)
Joe Cotto said: “I was very lucky that I didn't have to be on the transplant waiting list. Then my brother Michael stepped up and he turned out to be the perfect fit.” .
Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald and Mr and Mrs Cotts are grateful for the support they have received from the Irish Kidney Society, the medical and nursing teams at CUH and Beaumont Hospital throughout their health journey.
They are passionate champions of organ donor awareness and are sharing uplifting stories to thank organ donors and support Organ Donor Awareness Week 2024, which runs until today (April 27th). are sharing.
Organ Donor Awareness Week 2024 is hosted by the Irish Kidney Association in collaboration with Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland.
The Irish Kidney Association is urging people to use the opportunity of Organ Donor Awareness Week to discuss organ donation with their families.
The association says it will allow more than 600 people and their families to donate their organs by applying for an organ donor card, who are currently waiting to hear that someone is thinking of them. It is said to become.
Speaking at the national launch, Irish Kidney Association chief executive Carol Moore said she was looking forward to the provisions of the Human Tissue Act coming into force.
She said: “I am aware that the Department of Health and the HSE are working diligently on this matter and I look forward to announcing a future implementation date in the near future.”
“If this law comes into effect, people who do not want to donate their organs will be able to refuse and their families will not be contacted in the event of an untimely death.
“This legislation will also allow for the first time in Ireland altruistic living donations where the donor does not know the recipient.”
Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland Clinical Director, HSE Dr Catherine Motherway said organ donation was a huge, life-changing gift for transplant recipients and their families.
Dr. Mazaway said: “For many, it is literally the gift of life. Organ donors are publicly celebrated and cherished each year during Organ Donation Awareness Week.
“We hear stories of lives saved, the joy of a new start, being able to work, play sports, raise children, and, in many cases, the relief and joy of being able to breathe easier without a machine. .
“We know that for the families of deceased donors, the decision to donate their loved one's organs brings hope and comfort in the midst of grief, and we are committed to sharing their stories and supporting their loved ones. I'm going to listen to the pride and joy that people have in their lives, and their final, immeasurable acts of kindness.
“Organ donors save lives. In this deeply troubled and unstable world of ours, they are a beacon of pure goodness, and they bring out the best in humanity as people give and share with others. will show us.”
A total of 282 organ transplant operations will be carried out in Ireland in 2023, 32 more than in 2022.
This work would not have been possible without the generosity of the families of 95 deceased and 30 living kidney donors. In 2023, St. Vincent Hospital performed 54 liver transplants and 6 pancreas transplants.
Last year, the number of kidney transplants performed at Beaumont Hospital increased to 191.
Of those kidney transplants, 161 were from deceased donors, an increase of 31 from the previous year, but there were also 30 transplants from living kidney donors last year, three fewer than in 2022. .
As of December 31, 2023, there were 2,502 people in Ireland with end-stage renal disease receiving dialysis treatment, but only about one-fifth of them, or around 500 people, were on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. is.
People who want to share their wishes with loved ones and support organ donation can carry an organ donor card, allow code 115 to be included on their driver's license, or use the “Digital Organ Donation” It is a good idea to have someone remind you of your decision. Smartphone “card” app.
