Billy Burke and his mother Eileen.
It's been almost two months since 5,000 people took to the streets of Killorglin to support Billy Burke, but the 29-year-old cystic fibrosis patient is still no closer to getting the lung transplant he desperately needs. In April last year, the Killorglin man made national and international headlines. When he publicly criticized Health Minister Michael Martin for not intervening in the spat between the two countries,
Written by Cathy O'Sullivan
It's been almost two months since 5,000 people took to the streets of Killorglin in support of Billy Burke, but the 29-year-old cystic fibrosis patient is in the process of receiving the lung transplant he so desperately needs. is not even close yet.
Mr Killorglin made national and international headlines in April last year when he publicly criticized Health Minister Michael Martin for not intervening in a dispute between him and Newcastle Hospital in England.
The rally, organized by his friends and supporters, was one of the largest displays of popular power ever seen in County Kerry.
However, Ms Burke is currently on the waiting list at Manchester Hospital, still waiting for a call that a suitable lung is available.talk to
kerry man Billy's mother, Mary Burke, said this week that her son was doing well but was still anxiously awaiting news. Mrs Burke said Billy's health was good at the moment, but she added that it was difficult to predict what his health would be like on a day-to-day basis.
It is understood there are currently 35 people on Manchester Hospital's waiting list. Last year, nine lung transplants were performed at the hospital. Billy was placed on Newcastle Hospital's list in January 2001, but the hospital took him off the list last year as he was deemed medically unfit for a transplant. Newcastle Hospital has an agreement with the Irish government to carry out transplants on Irish patients, so it will have access to all lungs donated by Irish people. Facilities to perform lung transplants have only recently become available in Ireland.
The Burke family claims that existing agreements between the government and Newcastle Hospital have significantly reduced the donor pool available to Billy.
