“Our loved ones live on in others” – Family of organ donor

Michelle Whitstone with her kidney transplant recipient daughter Allie from Green Hills. Photo: Conor McCabe

The Greenhills girl was one of several organ donors who visited Leinster House last week for the announcement of new legislation which will transform the organ donation process.

The Park West-based Irish Kidney Association (IKA) said the new legislation on organ donation would introduce a “soft opt-out register”, but family consent would still be required.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Human Tissue Bill, meaning that anyone would be considered a potential donor unless they registered to opt out.

Allie Whitstone, six, from Greenhills, who received a life-saving kidney transplant from her father David when she was four, was in Leinster House when the Bill was passed.

Before her transplant, Allie had to undergo dialysis for nearly 13 hours every night for two years, starting when she was two and a half years old.

The new register will allow more people to be considered as donors, but for those who have recorded their decision not to be donors on the opt-out register, their decision will be respected and their families will not be contacted.

If a relative who has decided not to register for organ donation refusal passes away and is a suitable candidate for organ donation, the family will be counselled about organ donation.

Carol Moore, chief executive of IKA, said: “An effective public awareness campaign that clearly communicates the new law and the important role of families is essential.”

“Despite changes to the law, the family decision remains at the heart of the organ donation process.

“Therefore, it cannot be overemphasized that individuals continue to need to openly share their organ donation wishes with their loved ones.

“The main difference under the new law is that rather than being asked to consent to organ donation, families will be asked if they know the reasons why their loved one would not consent to donating their organs for transplant.”

“Furthermore, this legislation also provides for the introduction of altruistic living kidney donation in the state, which is a positive development as it will address a significant gap in current practice and provide an opportunity for those wishing to donate altruistically.”

Only about 1% of people die in a way that makes organ donation possible, and most die in intensive care units.

As a result, organ donation availability is limited and the IKA encourages people to share their wishes with their families and register for an organ donation card.

You can download the Organ Donor Card app or visit the IKA website to find out more about organ donation. here.

IKA's Moore added: “Organ donation can be an incredibly positive legacy to leave for loved ones.”

“To quote the families of organ donors, 'organ donation has been a bright light in a very dark time' and 'our loved ones live on in others.'”