Two women from opposite sides of the country came together to celebrate their incredible connection as the nation's longest functioning transplant recipients.
Bernie Glynn, from Ballylee, between Peterswell and Gort, received the precious gift of a kidney transplant from a deceased donor 45 years ago on 2 March 1979 in Jarvis Street – the same hospital where Christine Kelly received her transplant five years earlier. This makes Bernie the longest functioning patient to have a kidney transplant from a deceased donor and Christine the longest functioning patient to have a kidney transplant from a living donor.
Both women are now in their 70s, but they have since beaten cancer and their donor kidneys continue to function well.
Their stories highlight medical advancements and the impact of organ donation, and they are honoured with a surprise visit from fellow organ recipients.
This success is also down to the dedicated medical team who have cared for them for 50 years.
To honour their incredible story, the Irish Kidney Association organised a surprise visit and bouquet of flowers from fellow transplant recipients to the women’s homes in Dublin and Galway, further celebrating their incredible resilience and inspiring others to follow a similar path.
To mark the 45th anniversary of Bernie's transplant, Ruth McGann, from New Inn, paid a surprise visit to Bernie's home to present him with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the IKA. She herself received a transplant from her brother Gary McGann, who was a living organ donor, 10 years ago.
Caption: Bernie Glynn.
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