Hospital visits are no stranger for Ciaran, from Waterville. He was born with only one functioning kidney and suffers from chronic kidney failure. His other kidney is currently at just 19 percent capacity. In 2024, the Waterville boy will likely need a new kidney and undergo transplant surgery.
Ciaran's family knew from the day he was born that he would eventually need a transplant, but that day is fast approaching.
“Our son is getting tired more easily. He loves his school, St Finan's in Waterville, where he is in first grade, and he loves his teacher, Mrs Coffey, but he is missing some school. He is so tired after the week that he just sleeps on Thursdays. We plan to still send him to school but may send him for fewer days,” Fiona says.
Then in recent weeks he faced difficulties having to undergo an appendectomy – completely unrelated to his condition but another struggle just before Christmas. Ciaran, the youngest of five siblings, is currently recuperating at home.
He's hoping that Fiona, his father Jonathan or another family member will find a match – but if they aren't, he'll be put on a transplant list, which is why organ donation is so important to the Walsh family and thousands like them.
“I don't want anyone to go through what he went through,” Fiona said.
But despite his battle with illness, Ciarán is looking forward to Christmas like every other boy and it will be a very special one as he will have the honour of leading a Christmas day swim at Ballinskelligs in aid of the Irish Kidney Association Kerry Branch and St Vincent de Paul.
His parents and siblings Darragh (19), Aoibhin (17), Kayleigh (16) and Orlaith (13) will be with him on the big day.
As well as raising funds, the family hope the event will help raise awareness of organ donation this Christmas.
“I will never stop fighting for organ donation – not enough is being done,” said Fiona, from Trim, County Meath.
“This Christmas I want you to talk to your loved ones and listen to their wishes,” she said, urging people to carry donation cards with them.
“I never [organ donation] “Before Ciaran was born we never thought anything of organ donation but now we know it saves a life. It's the gift of life. There is no happy ending without organ donation.”
Fiona says the family welcomed the opportunity to discuss organ donation again.
The family also expressed their gratitude to all those who supported them including the teams at University Hospital Kerry, Crumlin Children's Hospital and Temple Street Children's Hospital, their GP Dr Atilla Adamic, Waterville Pharmacy Marvin, the HSE Ambulance Service and finally the Kerry branch of the Irish Kidney Association, who have supported the family for the past seven years.
To get an organ donor card, free text DONOR to 50050 or visit online at www.ika.ie/get-a-donor-card. Your organ donation preference can also be noted on your new-style driving licence, denoted by code 115. You can also download the free 'Digital Organ Donor Card' app on your mobile phone.
