Thousands of organ donor families and grateful transplant recipients will tune in at home and abroad to watch the Irish Kidney Association’s third virtual and 37th Annual Service of Remembrance & Thanksgiving
The Irish Kidney Association is asking the public to tune into RTÉ and actively participate in this years’ virtual Service, including the symbolic Service of Light ceremony.
Leading this years’ Service of Light ceremony and lighting one hundred candles in memory of organ donors, are two members of the successful Transplant Team Ireland sports team – Dubliners Aoife Murray (age 35) from Clonsilla, Dublin who received a liver transplant from a deceased donor seven years ago, and James Reynolds (also age 35), from Tallaght now living in Blanchardstown, Dublin, grateful for the kidney transplant he received in 2009 when he was 22 years old which allowed him to resume a normal life, gain employment, get married and become a father to Dylan (now 6).
For many organ donor families this unique annual Service has become an anniversary to remember their loved ones, and for transplant recipients,y the opportunity to honour and give thanks for the wonderful ‘gift of life’ they have received. Prior to the global pandemic, the annual event attracted a physical congregation of close to 2,000 people.
A letter by President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, who is patron to the Irish Kidney Association, is read aloud at the Service by Rebecca Maher, from Castleknock, Dublin, the mother of deceased organ donor infant Matilda Quinn who passed away in 2015. In an extract from the President’s message, Rebecca reads, “I : Pictured at the pre-recorded ceremony was Liam O’Connor age 5 from Artane (front right) who received a kidney transplant in Spring 2022 with his twin brother Daniel (left)and sister Caoilinn (age 7 centre) parents Denise and Patrick you all in expressing my support and thanksgiving for the great gift of organ transplantation, which has transformed and enriched so many lives – allowing new possibilities and new opportunities for recipients and their loved ones”.
Following the Service broadcast on RTÉ One and RTÉ Radio One Extra (LW252) at 11am on Sunday, 30thOctober, it will be available to watch on the Irish Kidney Association’s website www.ika.ie
Individuals who wish to support organ donation are encouraged to Share their Wishes with their family and keep the reminders of their decision available by carrying the organ donor card, permitting Code 115 to be included on their driver’s licence or having the ‘digital organ donor card’ App on their smartphone. Organ Donor Cards can be requested by visiting the IKA website www.ika.ie/get-a-donor-card or to your phone, phoning the Irish Kidney Association on 01 6205306 or Free text the word DONOR to 50050.
Featured Image: Pictured at the pre-recorded ceremony was Liam O’Connor age 5 from Artane (front right) who received a kidney transplant in Spring 2022 with his twin brother Daniel (left)and sister Caoilinn (age 7 centre) parents Denise and Patrick
Pictures Conor McCabe Photography
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