Viewers of RTÉ's Late Late Show have praised Gaelic football legend Michael Darragh McAuley for calling on the public to donate their organs.
The All-Ireland football champion appeared on The Late Late Show to talk about the impact lung disease pulmonary fibrosis has had on his family and spoke candidly about the “power” organ donation has for those in need.
His father, Michael, died from the disease in November 2012, aged 71, while waiting for a lung transplant. Michael's sister, Margaret, also recently developed pulmonary fibrosis, but was saved by an organ transplant.
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Speaking about receiving the call that his sister had found a donor, the football champion said: “We were really committed to this magical transplant. We had been waiting and we know exactly the procedure. They called three times to ask my dad to take the transplant but in the end he wasn't able to get it.”
“She'll never know, but I'll never forget where I was when I got that first phone call that she was going to call. I was in the gym doing bench presses when I got the call. I had my phone with me because I was on guard.”
“I got the call that she'd received it. I ended up breaking down in tears. I never thought I'd have to do that, but I guess I've been waiting so long for this for a while now.”
“I think people thought I couldn't lift weights in the gym but I can! I rushed into Matter Hospital. It's been a rollercoaster ride.”
“I think a lot of people here haven't been affected by transplantation. But when you look at where Margaret was and where she is now, the power of transplantation is incredible. It's not easy, but the power of it is incredible.”
Patrick then turned to the audience, where a smiling Margaret addressed the crowd, asking them about her journey so far, which included four months in hospital.
She said: “The recovery has really been a long journey. I was so focused on the transplant over the phone that I didn't really think about the recovery that followed.”
“It was definitely a tough journey for me and one of my big goals on that trip was to get home in time to watch The Late Late Show Toy Show with my kids. I have three kids, Rebecca, 13, Clara, nine, and Daniel, seven, and they're all watching at home.
First, I said that my goal was to go home and watch the Late Late Toy Show. And because I didn't leave the hospital completely, I didn't achieve that goal. But I did get to go home that night, and it was great to be home with my family.
“Thank you to our donor. Thanks to him and his family and the decision they made. Now we're looking forward to next year's toy show.”
The Dublin footballer then called on Irish people to pull out their mobile phones and let their families know that they would like to be an organ donor if something bad were to happen to them.
“The biggest thing I want to ask of you right now is, because you may be in your homes having half-assed conversations or ticking boxes on your cards.
“If you write in a family WhatsApp group that if the worst happens you want to be an organ donor and God hopes that never happens, your wish will be clear and it can make all the difference to your future.
“Unfortunately, at the moment there are 600 people waiting for a kidney, lung or heart transplant and they are just sitting there waiting. We need the Irish public to come forward and do the right thing.”
Viewers praised the All-Ireland hurler and his sister for speaking so openly about organ donation and its importance.
One person wrote: “What a beautiful legacy each and every organ donor leaves behind.”
Another added: “I've been a multiple organ donor throughout my life and now I don't think anyone wants to donate their organs, especially their liver.”
“It's sad that you have to think about it, but if you're young and healthy, just tick the box on your driver's license and talk to your family about it.”
Meanwhile, a third wrote: “Michael Darragh is such an intelligent yet so vulnerable man who makes these people seem so strong and invincible. Superman wishes him and his family all the best.”
Another wrote: “There is no reason in the world not to register as an organ donor. If the worst happens, you'll still leave a beautiful legacy.”
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