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“It’s life-changing for Joe”
K
Killarney mother urges public to think organ donation after son’s life-changing kidney transplant
By Michelle Crean
A young Killarney man with Down Syndrome has had a new lease of life thanks to the gift of kidney last month.
21 year-old Joe Buckley from Faha, son of Noreen and Jack, the former President of Killarney Golf Club, suffered ill health and had to undergo regular kidney dialysis. However, thanks to the kindness of one family, who made the difficult decision to donate a loved one’s kidney, Joe is now back to full health and ready to get back to his regular activities.
Now his mother is speaking out ahead of next week’s Organ Donor Awareness Week, which takes place from March 30 to April 6, and is appealing to the public to ‘Give the Gift of Life’ by becoming an organ donor.
“Joe had his operation on February 12,” Noreen told the Killarney Advertiser yesterday (Thursday).
“It was life-changing straight away. The big thing is once you receive your kidney it’s life-changing. There’s a difference within 24 hours. The recovery is remarkable.”
She explained how Joe, who attends the Kerry Parents and Friends and is a member of the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club, had suffered with kidney trouble since the age of 12 and had to undergo dialysis.
She said she received great support from her workplace in the Dept of Justice, especially from colleague Stephen Byrne.
“I’d like to praise the HSE for their dedication to the Kidney Association with regard transport to and from Joe’s dialysis and John Crean Taxis, Catherine and her team in KP&F and Dilly Little’s team in Dublin and all on Damian’s Ward in Beaumont Hospital.”
Organ Donor Cards can be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association 01 6205306 or free text the word DONOR to 50050. Visit website www.ika.ie/card. You can also download a free ‘digital organ donor card’ APP to your phone.
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