Forty-five years ago, Bernie Glynn, from Kilmanagh, Co. Kilkenny, received the precious gift of a kidney transplant from a deceased donor in Jervis Street.
Bernie's donor kidney came from an 18-year-old girl in the UK.
Barney, 76, lived in Dublin and was newly married to Albert when he suffered organ failure.
As Bernie reflected on the 45th anniversary of the life-changing surgery that ended three years of dialysis treatment, she recalled her deep gratitude and appreciation for the young donor who was her lifeline for 45 years. .
She also remembered her beloved husband Albert, who passed away five years ago.
They were still newlyweds when she had kidney disease, so she remembers what a great husband he was.
“We hadn't been married very long when I got sick,” she said.
“Albert trained with me how to manage the dialysis treatments, which we received three times a week for five hours at a time, at our holiday home in Dublin 7. At the time, dialysis machines were huge. .
“My dialysis treatment did not work for me and I became so sick and weak I could barely walk and had to give up my job doing phlebotomy at Kappa Hospital.
“Despite the seriousness of my condition, I couldn’t believe it when consultant Dr Carmody told me I would need a transplant.
“I never knew anyone who had a transplant, so it never occurred to me that it was a possibility. It seemed like science fiction at the time.
“I was 31 when I was asked to have a transplant. It was a turning point in my life and I haven’t looked back since.
“Nine months after the transplant, I returned to my old job at Kappa Hospital and worked until I retired at the age of 60, in 2008 myself and Albert moved back to Albert's hometown of Galway.
“Although we were never blessed with children, my transplant enabled us to enjoy a full and happy life together until Albert passed away in 2019.
“I only recently experienced a major health setback when I had to undergo a lobectomy due to cancer in 2018. However, I recovered very quickly and my donor My kidneys have recovered as well and I am still doing well.”
Shortly after their marriage, Albert's devotion to his ill wife Bernie led him and several other people suffering from kidney failure to form the Kidney Association of Ireland, a support group for kidney patients.
Launched in 1978, the Kidney Donor Card was introduced in the same year, which evolved into the Multi-Organ Donor Card.
“My donor was only 18 years old when he passed away, so I am so grateful for the selfless generosity of my donor's family,” Bernie said.
“Losing her must have been heartbreaking for them, and she and they are always on my mind.
“There were many wonderful doctors and nurses who looked after me over the years, including Dr. Carmody and my transplant surgeon, Mr. Hanson, who have both passed away.
“I would like to thank Professor Peter Conlon and the team at Beaumont Hospital, where I attended my semi-annual clinic before moving to Galway.
“I am currently under the excellent care of Professor Reddan in Galway. IKA continues to honor the vision of my late husband Albert through our wonderful work supporting kidney patients and their families.”
Bernie's transplant success story of resilience and gratitude serves as an inspiration to those facing organ failure and their families, while also comforting donor families and reminding them that their legacy will continue on to others. I know.
Ruth McGann, who received a transplant 10 years ago from Bernie's living donor brother Gary McGann, recently paid a surprise visit to Bernie's home on behalf of the Irish Kidney Society and presented him with flowers (pictured above). It was Mr.
Organ Donor Awareness Week 2024 is currently underway (20-27 April) and is being hosted by the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) in collaboration with the HSE's Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland.
IKA is calling on the public to use Organ Donor Awareness Week as an opportunity to discuss organ donation with their families.
Even after the new law comes into force, we will continue to ask the families of all potential organ donors to consent to organ collection.
By sharing your wishes when you are healthy, you will help your family act on your behalf if you become a potential organ donor.
By requesting an Organ Donor Card (www.ika.ie/donorcard), we are helping over 600 people and their families who are currently waiting to 'hear' that someone is thinking of them. You will need to request an organ donor card.
Only about 1% of deaths occur in situations where organ donation is a possibility, so we cannot afford to miss out on every opportunity because the person's wishes are unknown.
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