The power of transplants
Three family members received kidney transplants in six months
AN EXTRAORDINARY series of events” led to three members of a family spread across north and east Cork receiving “life-changing” kidney transplants in the space of six months last year.
70-year-old Margaret Fitzgerald from Buttevant, her son Michael, based in Carrigaline, and nephew Joe Cott from Ballyclough, are all part of a family which suffers from a hereditary condition called polycystic kidney disease and last year each of them found themselves in need of vital kidney transplants.
Though Margaret’s older brother Joseph passed away due to an illness in early 2023, the family would also experience good fortune as each member in need of transplant received one in the space of less than six months.
Joe was able to receive a kidney from his Mayo-based brother Michael and later in the year, Margaret and Michael received calls to come to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin for transplants of their own from deceased donors.
This meant the family finished 2023 having received a ‘hat-trick’ of transplants.
On Organ Donor Awareness Week, the family members have spoken of the renewed hope they have following their transplants.
Michael said he “could not put into words” the extent of his gratitude to the family of his deceased donor for “transforming my life and freeing me up from sickness, and restrictions, and being tied to dialysis which I had to have twice a week for 21 months at CUH”.
“An extraordinary series of events” led to three members of a family spread across north and east Cork receiving “life-changing” kidney transplants in the space of six months last year.
Buttevant grandmother Margaret Fitzgerald, aged 70, and her 49-year-old son Michael Fitzgerald, based in Carrigaline, both suffer from a hereditary condition called polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and they received vital kidney transplants from deceased donors at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin just seven weeks apart.
Margaret received her transplant in November after Micheal had undergone his in September, saving the duo from a condition that Margaret’s mother Elizabeth had passed away from at just 46 years of age. Amazingly, less than six months before the mother and son underwent transplants, Margaret’s nephew Joe Cott received a living kidney transplant thanks to his donor brother Michael, also at Beaumont Hospital.
Though last year ended on a positive note following the three successful transplants, early 2023 saw Margaret’s older brother Josph Cott, who had also received a kidney transplant over 30 years ago, pass away aged 77 after a short illness.
Before he passed away, however, he learned that his son Joe, a Ballyclough famer, would receive a donor kidney from his brother Michael, who is an engineer based in Claremorris in Mayo. A successful transplant between the brothers would follow, bringing solace to the family amid their recent bereavement.
As the year went on, Margaret and her son Michal were forced to navigate the complexities of their kidney failure, but fate intervened in unexpected ways. In late September, Michael, received an unexpected call to travel to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin for a kidney transplant, to the joy of Margaret.
But fate had more surprises in store for the Cork family. Just under seven weeks later, Margaret herself received a call for a transplant in the first week of November, an incident which left her reeling with disbelief and gratitude that she and her son had received the gift of life in rapid succession.
With each transplant going as planned, the family’s spirits were renewed courtesy of the generosity of their donors. Speaking about the family’s three-in-a-row transplants, Margaret said that her family has been left with hope and gratitude courtesy of the events of last year.
“Having two successful transplants for my nephew and son close together was so unexpected but I was in total disbelief when I also got called for a transplant just seven weeks after my son’s. I had resigned myself to having to wait for a few years and was just happy that my son and nephew’s transplants were a success,” Margaret explained to the Irish Kidney Association.
“My kidney function had reduced to below ten percent and I was just about to commence dialysis treatment when I got called for my transplant. Although I had not been well and felt exhausted for a very long time, I had no idea just how much difference a transplant would make. Immediately my energy soared, and it still amazes me how simple things in life are so much easier now, like having boundless energy to spend a day shopping or spending time with my grandchildren.
“I could not believe it when I got called and when I woke up after my transplant operation it almost felt magical like ‘poof ’ a total transformation. The trans
plant is life-changing.”
Margaret’s son Michael said he “could not put into words” the extent of his gratitude to the family of his deceased donor for “transforming my life and freeing me up from sickness, and restrictions, and being tied to dialysis which I had to have twice a week for 21 months at CUH.”
Michael’s cousin Joe Cott said he was “very lucky” not to have to go on the transplant waiting list because his younger brother Michael stepped up to help him out.
On Organ Donor Awareness Week 2024 (taking place from April 20-27), the Irish Kidney Association is urging families to have a discussion about organ donation.
“By requesting an organ donor card (www.ika.ie/donorcard), you are letting the 600+ people, and their families, who are currently waiting for ‘the call’ that there are people out there who are thinking of them. With approximately only 1% of deaths occurring in the circumstances of potential organ donation, we cannot afford to miss any opportunities because a person’s wishes are unknown.”