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Third time lucky kidney recipient urges people to carry a donor card

A Milltown man who has undergone three kidney transplants is planning to give something back and also create awareness about the importance of organ donation.
Colm Clifford (42), and his supportive wife Nikki, who both work in Astellas in Killorglin which ironically produces medication for transplant patients, have set up a Monthly Renal Support Group to help patients and their families from diagnosis right through their journey.
The kind couple also plan to promote organ donation in schools and are asking them to hold a non-uniform day across Kerry in all primary and secondary schools.
Colm was born with only one functioning kidney, and as a child went into kidney failure. In December 1988, aged just 11, he had to go on dialysis four times a day. In March 1990, aged 13, he had his first transplant.
“I was born with two kidneys but only one was functioning,” Colm told the Killarney Advertiser.
“My first transplant, the kidney was taken out after two days as it didn’t function.”
In November 1990, he underwent his second transplant which was successful for 22 years.
However, Colm and Nikki’s world came crashing down in 2012 when the newly married couple learned that his kidney was failing again.
In the beginning he was put on dialysis four times a day at home and then later for an hour-and-a-half three times a week in hospital until his third transplant in early March 2017.
Now he says his health is very good but he and Nikki are keen to help others going through the same experience as them.
Nikki explained that it was a long and lonely road and at times felt was hard for others to understand fully.
“You don’t live a life – you’re existing,” Nikki, who is Organ Donor Awareness Coordinator with the Kerry branch of Irish Kidney Association, said.
“It’s quite lonely, it’s hard. I did struggle a bit with the emotional side and there was no support network in Kerry so we set one up in December.”
Also, she added that a new house has been recently purchased in Killarney, near the Killarney Oaks Hotel, by the Kerry branch of the Irish Kidney Association with help from Ring of Kerry funding.
“It’s all gutted out at the moment and money from the schools non-uniform day will go towards this, so the money will stay in Kerry.”
Colm added that the monthly Renal Support Group meeting takes place the second Thursday of every month at 7.30pm in The Kidney House, 11 Castlelawn Drive in Killerisk.
“Organ donation works, I’m living proof. Hopefully it won’t come to anyone’s door but I’d urge people to carry a card and more importantly speak to your next of kin about organ donation.”
For more information contact Colm on 0861999169.