Greatest gift you’ll ever give

AMID the hustle and bustle of Christmas and the giving and getting of presents Deirdre Cole has received the ultimate gift from her brother.

Thanks to David the 42-year-old has been literally given a new lease of life.

A month ago today he donated one of his kidneys to his gravely-ill sister and now her life has been completely transformed.

It is what can only be described as an act of supreme selflessness and within hours of the procedure, Deirdre looked and felt better.

They are now calling on others to follow his example and offer an organ to their loved-ones and become living donors.

Unfortunately there is a severe shortage of kidneys as despite many campaigns to highlight, there is still a reluctance on the part of the public to carry donor cards.

The Irish Kidney Association warned of a dramatic drop in the number of transplants from living donors.

The life-changing difference a transplant can make cannot be overstated.

The successes of Irish competitors at the European Transplant Games should act as a reminder of the good that can be done by donating an organ and carrying a donor card.

Families should follow Deirdre and David’s advice for families to discuss organ donation this Christmas and if at all possible always carry a donor card.