Matt’sdreamisto receivenewkidney
FOLLOWING 18 years of a successful kidney transplant Matt McAlevey from Drumcar returned to dialysis treatment four years ago when his kidneys failed again.
The publican, who runs the Brewery Tavern in Castlebellingham, has raised over €4500 for the Irish
Kidney Association through fundraisers he has run in his pub.
Matt is sharing his story this week in support of the Irish Kidney Association’s Organ Donor Awareness Week which runs until 7th April.
Matt has been undergoing haemodialysis treatment, three times weekly, for the past four years at the Beacon in Drogheda.
Speaking from Glasgow where his two daughters, Katie (15) and Holly (14) are competing in the World Irish Dancing Championships over Easter weekend, Matt explained “I was disappointed to have to return to dialysis treatment, but I am grateful to my deceased donor for my transplant which I received when I was 30 years old.
‘ This gift of life allowed me to get married, run my business and raise my family. I have two teenage daughters and a nineyear-old son.
‘My wife Ciara is a nurse in Drogheda and she is a willing kidney donor but unfortunately after a health setback a year ago I was taken off the transplant waiting list and was just re-entered onto it a week ago. ‘We will soon re-commence screening for living kidney donation”.
Matt explained, “I had to make special arrangements for extra dialysis before I flew out to Glasgow last weekend with my daughters and I was back to the Beacon for more treatment on Monday morning. ‘A transplant would make a huge difference to my quality of life as I would no longer be tied to a timetable around dialysis and I would have more energy to run my business.
‘I would also not have to adhere to a strict diet and low-level fluid intake.
‘A transplant would give me the freedom to carry on with a normal life and have more energy to spend with my children. ‘ My son Mark is nine years old and plays football with Rock Celtic, in Blackrock and I would like to have the energy to have a kick around with him. I would encourage everyone to support organ donation and it vastly improve or save the lives of people like me”.
Free information fact files, which accompany organ donor cards, are obtainable from the Irish Kidney Association and are available nationwide from pharmacies, GP surgeries and Citizen Information Offices.
Organ Donor Cards can also be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association tel. 01 6205306 or Free text the word DONOR to 50050. Visit website www.ika.ie/card