Patrick urges people to sign up today for important Organ Donor Register
A FERMANAGH man who received the gift of life through organ donation has issued an appeal for more people to join the Organ Donor Register.
In December, 2020, Patrick Boyle (29) who lives in Brookeborough, received a lifesaving and life-changing liver transplant.
Talking about his journey Patrick said: “I was initially diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis when I was just 15. I had a pretty normal life up until a few years ago – I played football, went to college, had a full-time job, but then I started to get sick around May, 2019.
“I was assessed for a liver transplant and that time was very daunting, I didn’t really know what to expect but I was put on the transplant list in July, 2019.
“I waited around 16 months and was called once in May, 2020, but unfortunately the transplant didn’t go ahead.
“I then waited another seven months and was finally called on December 11, 2020, when I received my liver.
“It has been tough, but I’m nearly two years on from my transplant and feeling good.
I’m back playing football, back at work and enjoying life.”
Patrick continued: “I am very grateful to my donor who signed up to the register and the reality is that if it wasn’t for my donor, I might not be here today.”
‘Have a conversation’
Urging people to sign the register, Patrick said: “I would urge anybody you know, no matter what age, to have a conversation with your friends and family and sign up to the Organ Donor Register.
“I have talked to many people who say they would like to donate their organs but with life and everything that goes on, they just never find the time or never get round to it – so please sign up today.
“Don’t wait any longer, and you can be a proud organ donor.”
This Organ Donation Week, which is currently under way until October 2, the Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) is focused on encouraging people to have a conversation with those closest to them about organ donation.
Some 52 per cent of the adult population in Northern Ireland have signed the NHS Organ Donor Register.
However, there remains a shortage of organ donations, and there are around 144 people in Northern Ireland and approximately 6,000 people in the United Kingdom who are waiting for life-saving transplants.
Every year, approximately 10-15 people in Northern Ireland die whilst waiting for an organ transplant.
Most of us are familiar with the need for kidney transplants, but heart, liver, lung, pancreas and small bowel transplants are also regularly performed.
Tissue such as corneas and heart valves can also be donated and transplanted.
Dr. Michelle Fallon, Lead Clinician for Organ Donation at the Western Trust, said: “Organ donation really is the gift of life and we are encouraging everyone to join the
Organ Donor Register and tell their loved ones that they wish to be a donor.
“Becoming an organ donor is your decision, but it does affect your family.
“Many people do not realise that their family’s support is necessary for organ donation to proceed.
“After your death, your family will be consulted and any decision they make on your behalf will be respected.
“Only half of families agree to donation if they don’t know their loved one’s decision, but this rises to 9 out of 10 if they know their loved one wanted to donate.”
Dr. Fallon concluded: “The more people who pledge to donate their organs and tissues after their death, the more people stand to benefit.
“From April, 2021 to March 31, 2022, there were nine proceeding organ donors in the Western Trust area, resulting in 24 patients receiving a life-saving or life-changing transplant.”
TO JOIN the Organ Donor Register, see www.organdonationni.info. You can also telephone the NHS Donor Line at 0300 123 23 23; telephone lines are open 24 hours a day, all year round.