The parents of organ donor baby Harvey, from Macroom, on Saturday planted specially selected shrubs at the Circle of Life National Organ Donor Memorial Garden in County Galway as part of their 10th anniversary celebrations.
The garden is now celebrating its 10th anniversary, and Saturday's commemoration is a moving reminder that even in times of great pain and grief, people can still make a difference in the lives of others. did.
As part of the commemoration, Macroom donor baby Harvey's parents, Deborah and Eddie Barnes, and their daughter Lottie planted a shrub dedicated to the donor and his family.
Harvey died in an accident in 2006 at the age of 10 months, but his organ donation saved the lives of other children.
The event, which was attended by an estimated 500 people, was organized by organ donor parents Dennis and Martina Goggin of Strangeboat Donor Foundation, the brainchild of the garden in Quincentennial Park overlooking Galway Bay. .
Dennis and Martina donated their organs when their only son, Airmon, was involved in a fatal traffic accident in 2006 at the age of 26 and died five days later. This was in accordance with Airmon's wishes. Since then, they have become active leaders in organ donation, establishing the Strangeboat Donor Foundation to support the families of other deceased organ donors.
“In the darkness, organ donation provided a ray of light. It became the only positive thing about Airmon's death and gave me solace in knowing that his death was not in vain. He donated his kidney, heart, and liver, and I felt comforted knowing that he helped others move on with their lives after it was over,” Martina said.
A new sculpture was also installed by Irish Kidney Society President Eddie Flood in memory of the late Angeline Cooke, a founding member of the Irish Kidney Society who received a kidney from Galway and was a tireless advocate for 29 years. A stone chair was unveiled. To promote organ donation.
Carol Moore, chief executive of the Kidney Association of Ireland, said the gardens were now a top tourist attraction for visitors to Galway.
“We would like to thank all the volunteers who maintain the gardens throughout the year. It is a wonderful and uplifting place and we encourage you to come and visit us.”
The event was held as part of Organ Donor Awareness Week, organized by the Irish Kidney Association in collaboration with Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland. The campaign asks people to share their wishes regarding organ donation. To find out more about the campaign and how to get an organ donor card or donor card app and choose to support organ donation on your driving license, represented by code 115, visit www.ika.ie/donorweek please.
RSA Ireland reports that 1.56 million drivers currently have the organ donation consent code 115 on their license. This represents almost half of all license holders, an increase of more than 100,000 from last year's numbers.
