Transplant pair in plea over organ donation

A MAN who saved his cousin’s life by giving her a kidney is asking others to consider making a similar sacrifice.

Raymond Hughes offered grandmother Briege Dorman one of his organs after a number of setbacks during years of dialysis left her fearing for her life.

A series of tests showed the Co Tyrone man was a perfect match even though he suffers from epilepsy.

The 53-year-old was admitted to Belfast City Hospital last September to undergo the kidney transplant.

Briege, 58, said: “He’s my hero. Thank God he was there because if he hadn’t done what he did I wouldn’t be here. He keeps saying I saved his life, but he really saved mine.

“My life has been transformed. I have more energy and because of him I can play with my grandchildren.”

HEALTHIER

Urging those who can to consider donating an organ, the Coalisland woman added: “You just don’t know the difference it makes in somebody’s life.”

“I would recommend anybody thinking about it to do it as it really does changes people’s lives.”

Raymond, speaking ahead of Organ Donation Week, said he would do it again as after some tests and a few weeks of discomfort he was back to normal.

He added: “I feel great. I was stiff and sore at the start but I thought it was going to be a lot worse.

“I have even gone healthier because I have to watch what I eat and drink.

“I can’t think of anything that would put someone off doing what I did.

“It is really about the difference it made to her life.”