‘Talk about donation with loved ones’

The Sligo branch of the Irish Kidney Association will be spreading awareness of organ donation next week.

The theme of this year’s Organ Donation Awareness Week – running from April 20 to 27 – is ‘Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones in Doubt’.

There are currently 62 patients on kidney dialysis in Sligo University Hospital with many of them waiting for that all-important phone call of a ‘gift of life’ transplant.

Nationally, there are up to 600 people on waiting lists for organ transplants including kidney, heart, lung, liver and pancreas.

The key message is that members of the public can increase organ transplantation by ensuring that their families are not left in any doubt about their wishes around organ donation.

Chairman of the Sligo Branch IKA Sean Fowley said: “Sharing your wishes when you are in good health makes it a less stressful decision for your family in the event of them being approached about you being a potential organ donor. Have that conversation,” he urged.

During Organ Donation Awareness Week members of the Sligo branch will visit sports clubs in the area where they will deliver the organ donation message and circulate organ donor cards.

The branch will distribute ‘Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones in Doubt’ posters to Sligo doctors’ waiting rooms.

Pictured right - IKA Sligo branch members: Sean Fowley, Sinead Nolan, Eileen Nolan, Brian McHugh, Gerry Roddy, Ann Kenny Mitchell, Ita McMorrow Leydon, Geraldine McHugh and Marie Fowley.