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– SUMMER –
5 x €100 vouchers
for Suncare and Skincare products at
SEE PAGE 9
Editorial... I
t is nice to begin an editorial with funding for more staffing becomes
the good news that the available. We recognise the heavy
vaccination rollout has quickened work burden and stress on already
pace with nearly all of our very busy healthcare professionals as
community having received their first a result of COVID-19, and now they
dose, and many have received their have the added issue of cyber
second. The happiness and relief are hacking. It is disappointing for
very obvious and almost palpable. centre-based dialysis patients that
The Irish Kidney Association (IKA) they cannot go on holidays far away
assisted the HSE to spread the good from their dialysis centres. Holidays
news with some of our community are such an important part of
taking part in HSE vaccination wellbeing.
advertising campaigns We are planning to
including a TV advert re-open our holiday
and information booklet homes to transplant
which was distributed to recipients and home
every home nationwide. dialysis patients and their
The vaccination families on July 1st, with
campaign was planned extra cleaning to be
to reach huge volumes undertaken and capacity
of people, which it restricted to keep guests
achieved. However, not safe from COVID-19.
enough attention was There will be two
spent on communication apartments in Tramore
with patients, which did available for 7-day
cause unnecessary holidays, and there will
anxiety. The IKA worked also be availability in
closely with the HSE to address this, Tralee and Killarney for 5-day
and we dealt with many questions holidays. More details on page 15.
from patients. We also helped COVID-19 and the cyber hacking
patients who had not been contacted have had a major impact on health
to get vaccinations. services, and this will continue. Much
Some studies have questioned the credit is due to the HSE who have
effectiveness of the vaccine in successfully continued dialysis
immune compromised patients, and services and the transplant
it is likely that booster shots will be programme (albeit transplant figures
required. In consultation with the in the year to date are lower than
National Renal Office (NRO) we normal).
advise people to continue to observe What both the pandemic and
the safety guidelines. For more cyber hacking have shown, is the
details see article on page 6-7. need to have a strong support
We also discussed the return of foundation around delivery of
holiday dialysis in Ireland with the services to patients. A useful
NRO. Unfortunately, due to capacity metaphor is to think of people
Contents... issues in dialysis units, it is unlikely
this will happen until later this
Summer, when hopefully extra
FRONT COVER 2 EDITORIAL
staying in a house (and compare it
with patient services). If the house is
well insulated it will keep people safe
4 RAY OF HOPE
RAY OF HOPE 6 VACCINATION UPDATE
Dialysis mother 7 A SECOND CALLING...FOR THREE TRANSPLANT
Lorna McSwiggan TEENAGERS
and her daughter 8 TWO STEPS TO FREEDOM
Nadia at their local 9 SUMMER GIVEAWAY
beach in Sandycove, 10 REFLECTING ON FIRST VIRTUAL
Dublin promoting ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS WEEK
– SUMMER –
Organ Donor 14 LIGHTING UP IN GREEN
5 x €100 vouchersat
and Skincare products
for Suncare
Awareness Week. 15 HOLIDAY HOMES RE-OPENING 2021
SEE PAGE 9
Story on page 4-5. 16 DENISE’S STORY...LIFE BEGINS AT 40
18 TOMAS’S STORY...TIPPERARY STUDENT RECEIVES
Photo: Conor McCabe LIVER TRANSPLANT
2 IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021
and comfortable – (i.e. the support cards for black fabric. Orders are already flying
foundation). If the foundation of the patients, easier out for the popular unisex face
house is crumbling eventually patients access to and mask, priced at €10 each including
get hurt and services are affected. more supports postage and packing. The face mask
The Association’s new strategy will for home is of the highest quality and has a
make sure our ‘support foundation’ dialysis, ways pocket for a disposable filter and,
(the house) is strong and secure, so to expand our best of all, it is made in Ireland!
that patients can safely enjoy the kidney I am very conscious that many of
services we provide, and we can transplant our members are not online and
maintain the trust of our contributors. treatments, may not be receiving our emails or
At the moment the Board is focused holiday dialysis taking part in our online forums.
on strengthening the ‘house or upgrading With Government services
foundations’ in order for us to have a of dialysis increasingly moving online, and the
firm base for improving and expanding units? You restrictions of COVID-19, such
our services. The Board has continued might let your local branch officers people are at a huge disadvantage. To
working to ensure that our know your top priorities. help address this, we have partnered
organisation is compliant with the If your branch would like to try with Age Action Ireland to provide up
Charities’ Governance Code and has Zoom for holding meetings online, to six hours of free basic computer
also been taking part in an ongoing please contact Colin White, our training and assistance in the use of
independent review of its own National Advocacy & Projects Manager, smartphones for people over 55 years
effectiveness as a board. who will be pleased to assist – of age. All that you need to participate
In light of COVID-19, the Board colin@ika.ie is a smartphone.
took the decision to defer branch We also looked at developing a More information about this can be
AGMs until next year because many of phone and Zoom peer support pilot obtained from Age Action, Phone:
our Branches cannot hold meetings programme. 01-4756989.
effectively. Our national AGM will be As we go to print, we have just Another volunteer group called
held virtually on Saturday, 4th completed a member survey to explore GenerationTech, which offers free
September (details will be advised). the demand for patient services in support to people 65 years of age and
We ran a successful virtual Organ Cork. A Board sub-committee is older who wish to seek advice on
Donor Awareness Week 2021, and considering the options for the best technical matters, can also be
you will find more details on page use of the properties we have contacted on a helpline at Phone:
10-13. Our continued heartfelt acquired, and we are also conducting 01-9633288 which is open from
gratitude and appreciation goes to a feasibility study on how to maximise 8am-8pm weekdays with a call back
organ donors and donor families who the benefit of the properties. facility at weekends.
are central to this life-saving Following on from these findings, As you can see, we are very busy
awareness campaign. the Board will be in a position to make working on behalf of you, our
We had another successful Zoom a final decision as to the best way members. Hopefully, we are now at
session for branch officers, where we forward. the beginning of the end of the
looked at developing successful We have recently established an COVID-19 pandemic and, that soon,
campaigns for improving patient online shop on our website for we can begin safely meeting face to
services and the work and skills branded face masks and t-shirts as face again.
needed to do this. The Branches are well as the popular kidney diet We offer our deepest condolences
now looking at what the priorities for appropriate 'Truly Tasty' cookbook. The to all of you who have experienced the
campaigning should be. So make sure quality face mask, pictured above, is loss of loved ones recently.
your local branch knows your views! tastefully branded with 'Organ
What is most important to you, our Donation, Gift of Life' and the forget- CAROL MOORE
members? Is it automatic medical me-not flower emblem on one side on CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
20 SIOBHAN’S STORY...HOPE AND LOVE = 36 HERE COMES THE SUMMER!
ORGAN DONATION 37 WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
22 STEPHEN’S STORY...9TH CALL GIVES BREATH OF 38 NEXT STEPS FORWARD FOR RENAL SERVICES
FRESH AIR TO STEPHEN 41 A RETURN TO SPORT?
24 JULIETTE’S STORY...JUNIOR DOC JULIETTE THANKS 42 JOHN’S INTER-COUNTY SPORTING CAREER KICKED
DONORS TO TOUCH!
45 WORLD KIDNEY DAY STEP CHALLENGE
26 TRANSPLANT EDUCATION & ACTIVITY MOVEMENT
46 SOCIAL MEDIA & COMMUNICATION
(TEAM)
48 NORA ENJOYS 40 YEARS WITH BROTHER’S DONOR
28 TAXI TALES KIDNEY
29 GETTING MORTGAGE PROTECTION OR LIFE 49 PEDALING THROUGH DIALYSIS
INSURANCE FOR KIDNEY PATIENTS 50 ‘LOOP THE LOOP’ GOES GLOBAL FOR SANDY
30 DAUGHTER’S TRIBUTE TO LATE DIALYSIS FATHER 52 AROUND THE BRANCHES
32 SOFIA’S EGG-TRAVAGANZA 62 MEMBERSHIP FORM
34 DISEASE VS. ILLNESS 63 BRANCH SECRETARIES
IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021 3
By GWEN O’DONOGHUE
Lorna got to hold Nadia for the first time
when she was a week old.
FOR DIALYSIS MOTHER
AWAITING TRANSPLANT
L
orna, who like most other called for a register which will
Springtime rays of sunshine graced our dialysis patients is in the record not only people's wishes
country during Organ Donor Awareness extremely high-risk group to Opt Out but also their wishes
for COVID-19, has been to Opt In, the latter offering the
Week 2021 amid 5km travel restrictions as
cocooning for over a year and opportunity to confirm your
a result of COVID-19. half. Just after last Christmas, willingness to donate and
Earning front page her husband Richard Martin and prompting conversation with
position in the Irish daughter Nadia tested positive family about your wishes.
for COVID-19, however luckily In June 2019, Lorna’s world
Times was a photo of
Lorna tested negative. was turned upside down when
dialysis mother Lorna Lorna who has been on the kidney failure led her to having
McSwiggan and her waiting list for a kidney to undergo a C-section to
toddler daughter transplant since March 2020 deliver her baby girl, Nadia.
says that ‘organ donors offer a Nadia was born two months
Nadia (then 21
ray of hope’ and she shared her prematurely and weighed just 3
months old) at their story during Organ Donor pounds 4 ounces. Within a
local Sandycove Awareness Week 2021 which minute of being born, Nadia
beach in Dublin. garnered a lot of publicity in required CPR and then was
national and local newspapers. cared for in the Neonatal Unit at
Lorna (40), a nurse
A month later she also did an the National Maternity Hospital
who has in the past worked at Crumlin interview on national radio in Holles Street while Lorna was
Children’s Hospital with kidney patient station Newstalk which was transferred to St. Vincent’s
children, was herself catapulted into kidney shared on a network of local Hospital for treatment where
radio stations regarding the she remained for almost a week
failure halfway through her second
proposed amendment to before she could be reunited
pregnancy in 2019. Her two months legislation around the Human with her new-born in the
premature baby was named Nadia Rae Tissue Bill in relation to consent neonatal intensive care unit.
(meaning Ray of Hope). around organ donation. While Baby Nadia then came home
welcoming its introduction she safely to her family a few weeks
4 IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021
later and has been thriving
ever since.
Lorna, the proud mother
of Nadia who is now 2-
years-old and Kai who is 12- Due to my
years-old, said, “Being able kidney failure I
to live long enough to see
my children grow up would am currently
be the greatest gift I could unable to return
ever receive. Regrettably, to my job
none of my family, although nursing as I
willing, are suitable living
kidney donors for me so I would ind it
live in hope for a deceased impossible to
donor kidney. Organ donors tolerate with its
offer a ray of hope to me long hours and
and others on transplant
waiting lists and to our the physical
families also.” impact of my
Lorna explained, “Nadia condition.
Rae Vale was the name that
myself and Richard chose
for our tiny new-born, our
Ray of Hope. Nadia means
Hope and Rae is the female
version of Ray. Rae and Vale
comes from her two has also impacted on my team at Beacon Renal. husband Richard and my
grandmothers’ names ability to work as I am so I have a great support best friend Dr. Carthage
Valerie and Rae. high risk and I have been network including my Carroll who has been a
“I started dialysis cocooning for over a year. family, my parents and great support.”
treatment in June 2019 as I “I have been on the
went into renal failure transplant waiting list since
during pregnancy with
Nadia. I have a renal
March 2020. Unfortunately,
none of my family are
COVID19
condition called Alport suitable donors so I am
Syndrome and I am the only
known family member with
relying on a deceased donor
transplant to happen.
Tech Help
this condition. “I attend the Beacon Generation Tech wants to ensure that everyone aged 65+
“Due to my kidney failure Clinic for my three hourly on the island of Ireland has access to technology. As the
I am currently unable to dialysis treatments. I am so vaccine roll out continues we want to remind the public of
return to my job nursing as I thankful to the care I have our presence and to ensure that the public knows we will
would find it impossible to received from my continue to provide our service after the pandemic.
tolerate with its long hours Consultants Professor
and the physical impact of Watson, Professor Holian WE HAVE A VOLUNTEER TECH HELPLINE
my condition. The pandemic and the amazing dialysis FOR OLDER PEOPLE
• We will help anyone with an IT issue, as long as it is an a
person aged 65 and over.
• We are a volunteer IT group offering over the phone help
to resolve any IT or technical issues you might have.
• Tablets, phones, PCs, software, other hardware as well as
Apps and communications.
HOW TO CONTACT US
█ Ring our contact number 019633288 and one of our
volunteers will answer your call.
█ Direct Message (DM) on our twitter handle
@Covid19_tech – hashtag is #TechHelpCovid19 and
leave a brief explanation.
█ Facebook page Covid19TechHelp.
• This is a completely FREE service. All time is donated by
volunteers.
• No personal details such as access to bank details, cards
etc. is required.
• Call distribution is random and all calls are recorded. The
Twitter feed is also logged.
IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021 5
Ireland: % of age groups that have been vaccinated – As of 24th May 2021
As of the 24th of May ~47 % of the adult population have received their 1st dose of the vaccine and ~17 % have
been fully vaccinated. Note: Numbers exclude GP vaccinations from 14th of May.
Chart showing the % population vaccinated by age group
% of population received 1st dose % of population fully vaccinated
97% 98%
89% 88%
73%
68%
21%
15% 15%
5% 6% 8%
1%
0-19 20-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-84 85+
SOURCE: HSE
Vaccination
UPDATE
F
rom a survey we carried out, contact second dose of AstraZeneca for ALL
with renal units and anecdotal people has been confirmed at 12
COVID-19 reports received, it would appear weeks, at the time of writing – NPHET
that almost every renal patient (group 4 are reviewing the possibility of reducing
vaccine or group 7) who wanted the vaccine the gap. The gap between the mRNA
has received their first dose. doses (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) is
It is important to note that as the currently 4 weeks. Some readers will
rollout continues to move down the age have received a confirmed date for their
categories, it does not mean that those second dose at the time of receiving
in older categories have ‘missed’ their their first dose whilst others will have
Thankfully, the vaccine rollout opportunity. The programme is still been told that they will be contacted.
has been able to carry on open to everyone in the current Based on the vaccine you received,
despite the cyber-attack on the advertised age category AND all those you will know when you are due your
who are older. Equally, it is still open to second dose. If you have not received
HSE. From the graph above you people in group 4 and group 7 for their an appointment when you are
can see that the uptake of the first dose. If you have not yet received approaching a few days before the due
vaccines has been very high in your first dose, please contact me date, it is suggested that you contact
(email: colin@ika.ie). HSE Live (tel.1850-241850 or you can
the two older age categories. Second doses for people who find them on Twitter). I have found
It is also interesting to see the received the AstraZeneca vaccine are them very prompt in replying to direct
uptake in the 60-69 year-olds starting to happen and we shall soon messages on Twitter both from the IKA
see people who received the Pfizer- account and my own personal account.
as this is the first age category
BioNTech or Moderna vaccines also Have your PPSN ready.
that used the online portal to being called for their second dose. We We have received a number of
book their appointments. have been informed by the HSE that the enquiries about the possibility of having
place that organised your first dose will an mRNA vaccine as your second dose if
BY COLIN WHITE, also organise your second dose. you had AstraZeneca as your first dose.
Appointment notices should arrive via We have conveyed this enquiry to the
NATIONAL ADVOCACY phone calls or text messages. HSE, and the latest response is that the
& PROJECTS MANAGER The gap between the first and data is currently insufficient to prove the
6 IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021
value of doing this. However, research is
Lana Devine,
ongoing and there may be a change of Gearóid Wrafter and
Rebecca Osgood
policy down the line. Pic: Conor McCabe
As with the rollout of the first dose, Photography
we are happy to help if people are having
problems getting an appointment for the
second dose.
You may have heard about or read of
the ‘vaccine bonus’ that opens up to
people after their second dose of vaccine.
The specifics are obviously dependent on
the conditions at the time, but it currently
refers to meeting up with other
households and individuals.
However, it is important to realise
that, like any vaccine, the efficacy of
the COVID-19 vaccines is likely to be
lower amongst those with
compromised immune systems
compared to the general population.
That said, nephrologists and transplant
physicians, both here and internationally,
are advising their patients to take the
vaccine when offered and to ensure that
they receive both doses as there will be
some protection. NPHET is currently A SECOND CALLING...
considering whether follow-on
booster shots may be required. FOR THREE TRANSPLANT TEENAGERS
A
The current advice, both here and in
fter a year of Meath footballer Jody
trepidation, three By GWEN O’DONOGHUE Devine and mother
other countries, is for people who are
immune compromised to continue
kidney transplant teenagers Emer and two younger brothers
following the precautions of wearing a
came out of cocooning on Thursday, Liam (13) and Joe (7).
mask, washing hands and avoiding
8th April when they attended Soon afterwards two other kidney
congested indoor venues.
Beaumont Hospital for an transplant recipient teens were given
It appears we are now at the
unprecedented cause for their second dose of the vaccine and
beginning of the end of pandemic, the
celebration. The former patients at an increased level of reassurance.
vaccine rollout has picked up pace and
Temple Street Children’s Hospital Gearóid Wrafter (16) from
the early statistics coming out are
were among the first in the revised Loughaun, Tullamore, Co Offaly
showing that the vaccines are proving to
Group 4, classified as very high-risk, travelled to Beaumont with his
be very effective in the general
to receive their second and final mother Theresa and sister Denise.
population. We will continue to share all
‘shot in the arm’ of the Also joining them was Rebecca
the reliable information that we receive.
Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, against Osgood Daly (17), whose kidney
Please feel free to get in touch with
COVID-19. They were photographed donor mother Bernie Osgood had
your questions and experiences.
outside the Irish Kidney Association's driven her daughter to her hospital
Renal Support Centre at Beaumont appointment from Ballinlough, Co
In a joint statement by the International
Hospital. Their good news story Roscommon.
Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation
garnered lots of coverage in national Their vaccines were given during
(ISHLT) and the American Society of and local media. the Easter school holidays. Gearóid
Transplantation (AST) issued on June 2nd, on With the changes in the vaccine received his kidney transplant in
COVID-19 Vaccination in Solid Organ rollout that were introduced in 2015 and is a 5th year student at
Transplant Recipients (SOT), it stated, March, revised Group 4 was Killina Secondary School. Rebecca,
"we strongly caution against concluding extended from 18-69 years to also a 5th year student, attends
that low antibody response rate to SARS-CoV- include 16 and 17-year-olds. With Ballyhaunis Community School in
2, (COVID-19) vaccination will lead to reduced the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine being Mayo where her mother Bernie,
clinical effectiveness until more information is the only one currently approved for who donated a kidney to her in
available. These results should not prompt or 16 and 17-year-olds, the three teens 2010, is a teacher.
encourage vaccine hesitancy in SOT were added to the group for Lana, is a Transition Year student
recipients". In the statement it concluded that vaccinations thereby allowing them in Eureka Secondary School in Kells.
"until more complete data is available, we to return to school. She received her kidney transplant in
urge continued adherence of all transplant First of the three to receive her 2008 when she was just 4-years-old
recipients to protective measures including second dose was Lana Devine (16) following two years of nightly
masking, and social distancing regardless of from Kells, Co. Meath who was dialysis treatment as she was born
vaccination status." accompanied by her parents, former with dysplastic kidneys.
IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021 7
TWO STEPS TO FREEDOM
T
here was almost a By GWEN O’DONOGHUE
palpable sense of
relief and Harry Ward, David Beirne, Shaun Faloon,
Dublin Roscommon Limerick
excitement for
transplant recipients and
dialysis patients as they
made a return visit to
vaccine centres around
the country in early
Summer 2021 for their
second dose of a COVID-
19 vaccine.
It was a momentous
event back in March 2021
when the rollout for the
first dose of the vaccines
for this community
categorised as 'very high
risk' commenced as many
had been hibernating for
over a year. Most of this
vulnerable group were
allocated the AstraZeneca
vaccine in two doses
taken three months apart.
As the AstraZeneca
vaccine was not licensed
for the 16 and 17 year
olds, who are also in the
'very high risk' group,
Kieran Murray, Donegal Matthew Holland, Tipperary Antoinette Power, Tipperary
these teens received the
Pfizer BioNTech vaccine Pat O’Sullivan, Cork
which had a shorter gap
of less than a month
between first and second
doses. Almost all
members of this
vulnerable community
have now received their
second vaccine dose, with
the prospect of a booster
shot into the future.
Aodhagan Cullen, Cavan
They can finally
breathe a sigh of relief James Reynolds, Susan Mulligan,
Dublin Roscommon
and feel a little more
protected against COVID-
19 though knowing that
face masks, hand
washing and avoiding
crowds are still best
practice..
Pictured are transplant
recipients and dialysis
patients in celebratory
mood after receiving their
second COVID-19 vaccine
dose. Stephen Byrne, Kerry
8 IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021
Julie Sutcliffe, Wicklow – SUMMER –
Angela Sherlock, Dublin
5 x €100 vouchers
for Suncare and Skincare products at
Elizabeth Ferry,
Galway CarePlus Pharmacy is Ireland's fastest growing independent retail pharmacy
group. Its first store was established in Cork in 2015 and now a CarePlus
Pharmacy can be found in most key towns and counties around Ireland.
The Irish Kidney Association is delighted to partner with CarePlus Pharmacy,
to remind our readers, especially transplant recipients, of the importance of sun
protection, not just in summer but all year round.
Transplant recipients need to be particularly careful of the sun as they are at a
significantly higher risk of developing skin cancer than the general population
because of the medication they take.
Sun protection starts with regular use of protective clothing, seeking shade,
and for additional protection, the daily frequent application of sunscreen to
exposed areas.
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 50+ is recommended. It is important to use a
sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. These sunscreens are usually
branded ‘broad spectrum’. Sunscreen should be applied 20-30 minutes before
Sarah Dalton, Dublin
going outside, and should be reapplied every 2 hours.
Reapply SPF after exercising, swimming, sweating or towel drying. Even ‘water-
resistant’ sunscreens need to be reapplied.
For more information see: https://irishskin.ie/sun-protection-for-organ-transplant-recipients/
5 lucky readers will each receive a
€100 voucher for suncare and skincare products
which can be used at any CarePlus Pharmacy.
To be in with a chance to win, email: colin@ika.ie with your name, address
and phone number, making sure to include the words CarePlus Sun Protect in
the subject line of your email. 5 winners will be selected at random and will
each receive a €100 voucher which can be used at any CarePlus Pharmacy
branch nationwide – www.careplus.ie
*Offer applies to suncare and skincare products only and does not include prescriptions, medicines, baby food,
vouchers, gift cards and in-store services.
IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021 9
Reflecting on First Virtual
ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS WEEK
Minister Stephen Donnelly
speaking at the campaign ‘An Irishman Abroad’
launch. podcaster Jarlath Regan
T
he Irish Kidney The ‘Pass it on’ concept
Association’s foray into
By GWEN O’DONOGHUE was also translated into an
its first ever VIRTUAL highlighting the importance liver transplant recipient, as Irish language version with
Organ Donor organ donor awareness to well as comedian and ‘An Mary Kennedy and grateful
Awareness Week campaign the public at large while Irishman Abroad’ blogger transplant recipients or their
this year proved successful following government Jarlath Regan, who donated family members speaking ‘as
with lots of publicity restrictions and not a kidney to his brother. gaeilge’.
generated in print media jeopardising the safety of Previous organ donor Jarlath Regan’s podcast
and online and engagement our members. The ‘mostly’ awareness ambassadors for covered three inspiring
by the public. The campaign virtual Organ Donor the IKA, including kidney interviews including one
has had almost three Awareness Week 2021 donor Vivienne Traynor, with Vivienne Traynor, who
decades long of tradition of campaign was held, amid Mary Kennedy and Ray like him is a living kidney
being held every year in travel restrictions, from D’Arcy, all willingly lent their donor, and also with James
Spring, but last year it had 27th March to 3rd April. support to the campaign. Nolan, the prolific champion
to be cancelled with just a It has to be Ray D’Arcy also covered an butcher, transplant recipient
few weeks’ notice. This acknowledged that without interview to highlight the and founder of the
unprecedented cancellation the support of volunteers in campaign on his RTE1 radio successful Punchestown
was in response to the the community, the business show and so also did his Kidney Research Fund.
global pandemic which took sector’s sponsorship and the fellow RTE presenter It was a particularly major
all of us off guard and most media’s cooperation, it Jennifer Zamparelli, who, coup that Jarlath could
of us, non-front-line would not have been like Ray, regularly covers attract Lucy Davis, the star
workers, retreated to our possible to run the organ donation on her 2FM of internationally renowned
homes as fears about the campaign successfully. show. TV Hit series ‘The Office’
virus engulfed the world. People from a broad Celebrities took part in a and daughter of British
Since the onset of section of the community chain of videos passing on comedian Jasper Carrott, to
COVID-19, transplant came on board with great the donor card with the do a candid and first ever
activity in our hospitals has enthusiasm to support the message ‘Life is a Gift, public interview about her
slowed down while people campaign. Social media Pass it On’. The videos were experience with kidney
continued to wait for ‘the Influencers shared posts shared widely. This concept failure and receiving a donor
call’. This can be seen in about the campaign and of passing on the donor kidney from her mother
the table of figures at the our own community kept card started with Irish Hazel in 1997.
end of this article (on page busy liking and sharing diaspora from five The Minister for Health
13). stories from our various continents around the Stephen Donnelly sent his
The IKA decided that digital platforms. world on St. Patrick’s Day address by video for our first
despite the challenges Celebrities supporting the with an end clip flagging ever virtual launch of Organ
which still prevail with campaign included actress our Organ Donor Awareness Donor Awareness Week
COVID-19, that it was vital, and singer Angeline Ball, Week campaign and how to 2021 which was held on
this year, to continue whose niece Saoirse is a get a donor card. Tuesday, 23rd March.
10 IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021IKA CEO Carol Moore,
performed the role of
master of ceremonies Sallyanne and Ian O’Doherty
at the online launch Derry Clarke heart patient
Joining in to watch the forward to the enactment of work in delivering the organ Cavan native Stephen Smith
launch online were IKA the current Human Tissuc donation and who finally received a lung
members and media as well Bill in relation to Opt-Out transplantation process, and transplant after being called
as many others invested in consent for organ donation. he offered his condolences eight times previously.
the organ donation and In his recorded speech, to all the people who have Recently qualified junior
transplantation journey, the Minister also said, “With lost loved ones during doctor Juliette Duff spoke
from the various transplant the continued successful COVID-19. He explained about her kidney failure and
teams as well as other rollout of the vaccination how in these times it has the transplant which she
patient advocacy groups. programme there are better been very difficult for received while studying
Technical difficulties days ahead for all of us. If all dialysis patients and medicine.
prevented some people of us share our intentions transplant recipients who These inspirational
being able to watch the live with our families to pass on are extremely vulnerable to people have written
launch online but, the ‘gift of life’, there will be COVID-19 infection. personal accounts of their
fortunately, they could better days ahead for those People who received health stories which are
watch back the recorded waiting for organ heart, lung, liver, kidney, featured in this issue on
launch soon afterwards via transplants also.” and pancreas transplants pages 16-25.
our website. Carol Moore, the Chief shared their experiences A particularly poignant
Dr. Catherine Executive of the IKA through pre-recorded moment of the launch was
Motherway, Clinical Lead, performed the role of interviews for the online a pre-recorded video of 46-
Organ Donation Transplant master of ceremonies at the launch. Each of them year-old Limerick man, Ian
Ireland (ODTI) spoke of her online launch and while echoed the same underlying O’Doherty, (pictured below)
experience working at the outlining the campaign, she sentiment, their profound who spoke from his bed in
coalface as an intensivist also welcomed the Minister’s gratitude for the ‘gift of life’ the CCU at the Mater
and Head of ICU at announcement about they had received. Hospital where he explained
University Hospital Limerick. additional funding. They included Tomas how he has been an in-
She spoke of how humbling Referring to the profound Caffrey, a 21-year-old patient since July 2020 and
it is to support families in generosity of the families of student from Tipperary who that he has received two
the decision-making process organ donors, the IKA’s received a liver transplant, calls for donor hearts.,
around donating a loved national honorary chairman Denise Geoghegan from neither of which happened.
one’s organs. Colin Mackenzie stated that Laois who received a heart Ian and his family including
While applauding the “If we ever lose faith in transplant, Siobhan Brady his 19-year-old daughter
work of the IKA and others humanity, just think of who underwent a combined Ava, desperately hope for
in the promotion of organ organ donor families.” He kidney and pancreas the ‘gift of life’ before time
donation, as well as also thanked those who transplant and her fellow continued next page
honouring organ donors,
Minister Donnelly gave
special mention to Sallyanne
and Derry Clarke for lending
their support to the
campaign launch by sharing
their experience about their
decision to honour their late
son Andrew’s wish to be an
organ donor.
Minister Donnelly
announced €.75 million
funding to support
improvements in organ
donation and
transplantation services
while saying he was looking Ian in his hospital bed in CCU at the Mater Hospital Ian with his daughter Ava
IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021 11Deborah Cervi at Swords Castle
Minister Stephen Donnelly, wearing the forget-me-not on TV News
Dr. Colm Henry wearing the
forget-me-not on TV Dr. Ronan Glynn wearing the forget-me-not on TV
runs out. newspapers, and on social language versions of the
In our Spring issue of media and thereby posters were well received.
SUPPORT we reported that generated even more Clear Channel also
over 30 public sites would awareness and goodwill for sponsored the display of
be ‘lighting up in green’ a life-saving cause and was posters in over 30 shopping
from dusk to dawn in a welcome distraction from centres around the country
support of Organ Donor COVID-19. while some local and
Awareness Week, as green A new design approach national newspapers also
is the internationally was taken with the featured the poster free of
recognised colour which campaign posters as they charge. The poster also
celebrates organ donation. featured photos of 32 made a cameo appearance
By the time the organ donor grateful transplants, of all on several days during
awareness campaign week ages and all walks of life, Awareness Week on the set
came around almost every who collectively are enjoying of RTE’s long-running TV
County Council came on over 400 years of extended series FAIRCITY.
board. life thanks to their gift of life At televised media
In the end, a total of 91 from deceased donors – a Poster on display at Milford Shopping Centre briefings on COVID-19, Dr.
public sites were ‘lit up in powerful message about the this issue). Ronan Glynn, the Deputy
green’ for the campaign’s success of organ donation! The posters were Chief Medical Officer and
week-long duration. Sites The Campaign Week poster distributed by the Irish Dr. Colm Henry, Chief
included Dublin’s was adapted and another Pharmacy Union who Clinical Officer, HSE could
Convention Centre, the version, for display, all year circulated them to over be seen wearing the IKA’s
Mansion House, public round, features 42 people 1850 pharmacies for display forget-me-not flowers and
libraries, town squares, a who also received deceased during Awareness Week and Minister Stephen Donnelly
bridge, church, a donor transplants and are all year round and our was also seen on TV News
monument, and lots of enjoying over 520 years of branches sought out public wearing the distinctive
council town halls around extended life (and can be locations to display them emblem in support of the
the country. seen on the back cover of locally. The Irish and Polish campaign.
This visually impactful
initiative, which was the
brainchild of the IKA’s
holiday coordinator,
Deborah Cervi, captured the
imagination of people,
prompting conversation
amongst the general public.
It offered our network of
branch volunteers and
county councils an
opportunity to hold socially
distanced photocalls in the
evenings which were
covered by local The poster appeared on FAIRCITY
12 IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021Many other people optimistic that a suitable to respond with numerous national paper of record
responded to a callout on donor might come along downloads of our digital The Irish Times during the
our social media to share before he exchanges organ donor card app as campaign Week. Lorna’s
their health stories for organ wedding vows with his well as requests for donor story is covered on page
donor awareness and they fiancée Traci next year. They cards to be posted, all of 4-5.
engaged in media interviews were forced to cancel their which will generate more While fundraising for the
which were broadcast on wedding celebration last conversations about the campaign is vital for the
radio and could be read in year due to COVID-19. You importance of organ continuance of the work
local and national papers. can read more about John donation. which the IKA does in
Publicly sharing personal on pages 42-44. Stories were shared about advocating for and offering
health stories is the A family with hereditary milestone kidney transplant support to kidney patients
cornerstone of the success kidney disease supported anniversaries of people, and their families, the only
of awareness campaigns as the campaign and featured some of whom are focus of this year’s virtual
it has been proven that in a video for the Irish celebrating more than four Organ Donor Awareness
hearing about and reading Independent and Sunday decades of successful Week was to keep the
about real life experiences World online. This was transplantation. importance organ donation
with organ failure and/or shared on our social media An uplifting story about and saving lives at the
transplantation is what and garnered a lot of sisters, who underwent a forefront of people’s minds
resonate with the public interest as two sisters Emma living donor kidney and hearts.
prompting the all-important O’Connor and Louise transplant in December We hope that later this
awareness and discussion Cowman were involved in a 2020, proved timely for year when we are all living
about organ donation. living donor kidney Mother’s Day which took in a safer environment
For those people whose transplant. place two weeks before which is more protected
stories were not covered this In the video they Organ Donor Awareness from COVID-19, that there
time round, we hope to discussed how four Week and appeared on the will be a resurgence of
engage with you for future generations of their family front page of national activity and fundraising.
organ donor awareness were affected by Polycystic newspaper the Irish While we successfully
campaigns. Kidney Disease and a cousin Examiner. learned how to quickly
Former Westmeath senior of theirs underwent a As the campaign week adapt to the challenges of
footballer John Egan’s kidney transplant in Sweden came to a close, 7-year-old the pandemic and moved
successful sporting career just a few days before Sofia Corey could enjoy her our activity to online, we
was cut short due to his Awareness Week. first ever Easter egg thanks look forward with optimism
kidney disease and he During Awareness Week to the deceased donor to working with our branch
recorded a video which was another transplant counsin transplant she received just officers, our members and
shared on our social media. attended the wedding of before Christmas 2020 (see supporters, and delivering a
Since then he has her daughter who works as page 32-33). successful non-virtual Organ
commenced home dialysis a nurse in the transplant A photo of a nurse, Lorna Donor Awareness Week
and despite recently unit at Beaumont Hospital. McSwiggan, who went into campaign in 2022.
learning that two members Many other health stories renal failure on her second Campaign materials
of his family have been were shared in papers and pregnancy with her toddler including a video of the
tested and are not suitable on radio stations around the daughter, featured on the online launch are available
living donors he remains country inspiring the public front page of Ireland’s on ww.ika.ie/donorweek2021
ORGAN DONATION AND TRANSPLANTATION ACTIVITY - 10 YEAR COMPARISONS
2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 10 year 10 year
Total avg.
Deceased Donors 62 85 81 99 77 81 63 86 78 93 805 80.5
Transplantation Kidney 95 128 127 141 122 120 112 147 131 165 1288 128.8
from Deceased Liver 37 66 56 62 58 61 44 55 50 61 550 55.0
Donors Heart 9 15 18 16 15 16 18 11 10 6 134 13.4
Lung 16 38 28 36 35 36 31 32 14 8 274 27.4
Pancreas 5 2 5 5 0 0 6 11 1 8 43 4.3
SUB-TOTAL 162 249 234 260 230 233 211 256 206 248 2289 228.9
Living kidney donors
28 25 40 51 50 33 40 38 32 27 364 36.4
& transplants
All organ transplants
TOTAL 190 274 274 311 280 266 251 294 238 275 2653 265.3
Living & deceased
123 153 167 192 172 153 152 185 163 192 1652 165.2
donor kidney Tx
IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021 13Light-up in green initiative
Almost every County Council demonstrated solidarity in support of Organ Donor The Mansion House, Dublin
Awareness Week with 91 public sites throughout the country 'Lit Up In Green' from dawn
to dusk for the campaign’s week-long duration. Sites included Dublin’s Convention
Centre, the Mansion House, public libraries, a town square, a bridge, church, monuments,
and town halls and other public buildings around the country. The initiative captured the
imagination of the general public prompting conversation about the life-saving gift of
organ donation.
Municipal District Office, Carrick-on-Suir Tullamore Town Square
The 19 Arches Bridge, Arklow Swords Castle, Dublin
Bray Town Hall
Clare County Council
Cavan County Courthouse St. Mary’s Church, New Ross
Tullamore Library City Hall Cork
Spire of Lloyd, Meath
14 IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021Tramore Holiday Homes
HOLIDAY HOMES
RE-OPENING 2021
We could all benefit from a nice holiday after the months and months of daunting lockdowns and
restrictions. Holidays are good for our general wellbeing and our mental health and it is nice to
have something to look forward to. We have been working hard in the background to safely re-
open our holiday homes this year, and we are delighted to announce holidays for Transplant and
Peritoneal patients will happen this year. We will start to welcome patients from the 1st July
onwards to the Kerry and Tramore holiday homes.
Dialysis patients are also accepted, if Unfortunately, dialysis provision
they can travel back to their home away from base will not resume until
dialysis unit for dialysis treatment e.g. possibly late summer, depending on
Tralee Holiday Home
a haemodialysis patient attending Cork advice from NIAC for haemodialysis
University Hospital (CUH) for dialysis patients. We appreciate how Priority will be given to first time
treatment holidaying in Tralee, Co disappointing this will be for patients. holiday applicants and to families with
Kerry could travel back to their dialysis The National Renal Office (NRO) has schoolgoing children during Summer
centre at CUH for treatment. made an application for additional school holidays.
funding to facilitate away from centre Please note: Holiday grants are no
holiday dialysis. We will continue to longer automatically paid whilst on
discuss this with the NRO. holiday. Financial support may be
We will operate our holiday locations available from our Patient Support
this year on a 5 and 7-night basis Manager, email: fiona@ika.ie or
(Saturday to Thursday and Saturday to speak to your local branch.
Saturday) as we implement longer The holiday application forms are
cleaning routines and comply with available on our website at
COVID-19 guidelines. www.ika.ie by clicking on the tab at
Enhanced sanitation procedures and the top of the page titled ‘Our
new practises have been implemented Services’ and then ‘Patient holidays’.
for the safety of guests. We will Link below.
continue to monitor all developments Your local branch secretary and your
relating to COVID-19 and remain PD Unit also have forms or
committed to ensuring a safe alternatively you can contact me by
environment for guests. email at deborah@ika.ie
Killarney Holiday Home We also request that guests adhere We will be ensuring an enjoyable
to COVID-19 guidelines and this will be holiday experience amid the
a condition of booking. There will also restrictions that prevail.
be a number of other changes so, Have a lovely summer. Stay safe and
therefore, please read the booking take care.
form very carefully. For example, towels Deborah Cervi
will not be provided. Holiday Coordinator
Killarney Holiday Home - Treatment room
ONLINE LINK: www.ika.ie/patient-holidays/
Killarney Holiday Home - Kitchen Tralee Holiday Home - Sittingroom Tralee Holiday Home - Master bedroom
IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021 15Denise with son Caeden (8)
DENISE’S STORY HEART TRANSPLANT
t was in January 2020, I went to received my first call for a new heart. apart and the only contact I had with
my GP as I had swollen legs and It turned out to be a false call as I the outside world was through
stomach and I was finding it very was not a suitable match for this Facetime. The hardest part was
hard to breathe. He sent me to heart. I was not really too upset about knowing that my kids needed me and
A&E in Portlaoise Hospital. From this news as it had all happened so there was nothing I could do about it.
there I was sent to St James in Dublin quickly and I still needed time to get It was a really tough time for my
for an Angiogram and it was then that my head around all of this situation husband Emmet as he visited me every
I was told I had severe heart failure, that I had suddenly found myself in, single day and then went home to
Cardiomyopathy and I would most and I still had to explain this difficult care for the boys while trying to hide
likely need a heart transplant. My news to my sons. the huge stress he was under from all
world was turned upside down. To say So, then started my long wait in of us.
I was shocked would be an hospital. In total I was an inpatient in The staff in the critical care unit in
understatement. I was never aware I the Mater Hospital for eight long and the Mater Hospital were amazing. I
had any heart issues although it was in difficult months. As my heart was only really thought of them as my family.
our family history. functioning at 10% this is where I had They went over and above to help me
I was then transferred to the Mater to stay in the knowledge that the only in anyway that they could and I will be
Hospital where they confirmed that I way I could ever leave was if I got a forever grateful for the love and
would need a heart transplant and donor heart. support they showed me, despite that
that I would have to undergo a series I found this all so difficult and I at times I was not the easiest of
of necessary tests to identify my missed my kids so much. But in the patients (which they had to put up
suitability to go on a waiting list for a early stages they could visit me with) while I was in that ward for half
heart transplant. regularly. Then the restrictions around a year.
It was somewhat ironic that it was COVID-19 hit and I was not allowed The hardest part for me was when
on February 14th, Valentine's Day that visits anymore, except from my the second call for a transplant came,
I was put on the transplant waiting list husband Emmett. and I got told that it wasn't a match
for a heart, and that very night I This is when my world started to fall again. It was totally devastating for me
16 IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021and I woke up about three hours later
totally delighted with the new life a
stranger had given to me.
After four weeks I finally went
home to my husband and kids. If my
brush with death has taught me
anything, it is that life is for living, and
that is what I intend on doing. Life
begins at 40, and never more so than
for me as I'm 40 now with my new
donor heart. I'm caring for my three
sons and husband, walking every other
day with my dog Max and enjoying
the simple things in life and am
grateful for every breath of fresh air I
take.
and my family. All that I wanted was Everybody needs to understand me but for my family also.
to be home with my kids but it wasn't how important organ donation is and We would never have got through
to be this time.My mind went through what better gift can you ever give any of this without the help from my
a rollercoaster of emotions. anybody but the ‘gift of life’!! To my family and my in-laws. To my friends
It was a case of third time lucky for organ donor family I cannot thank you who witnessed my despair and saw
me. Finally, when I got my next call, enough and will be forever grateful for me cry, you helped me more than you
the third, I don't know how, but I the new life you have given to not just will ever know.
knew that this time the donor heart The love and support shown to us
was meant for me and when it was from the people in the town I live in,
confirmed the transplant was going from my two younger son's schools,
ahead this time I was over the moon St. Patrick's Boys National School and
but scared also. Coláiste Íosagáin, was really
My husband Emmet was with me all overwhelming and I will be eternally
that day and until I was wheeled into grateful to each and everyone of you.
the operating theatre. I could see by Lastly, to everyone in the Mater
his face he was terrified for me and so Hospital, from kitchen staff to the
was I but I focused on the prospect of nursing and medical staff to the
me being able to be home again with transplant team and surgeons who
my kids, family and friends, and that performed my life-saving operation, I
took away the fear for me. thank you from the bottom of my
The operation took over six hours donor's heart.
Given the current pandemic conditions, it is difficult for many Branches to hold AGMs.
The Board has considered the position and outline the following arrangements:
1. Branches will defer their AGM until 2022.
2. There will be no election of Officers of branches or Board Directors this year.
3. Branches may replace Officers of branches and Directors who wish to stand
down.
4. The existing Board and National Officers will remain in place for a further year.
5. This year’s National AGM will take place virtually on Saturday, September
4th, 2021. Further details will be advised in due course.
IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021 17I
am Tomas Caffrey. I am 21-years-old
TOMAS’S STORY LIVER TRANSPLANT
and I received a liver transplant in
2020. When I was 17, I was suffering
badly with stomach pain in 5th year in
school. I thought it may have been
because of a bad diet so I let it go for a
while.
After a month or two of putting up with
it I decided that I should see someone
about it. I talked to my mam and we went
to my GP Dr Elaine Joyce. She was not
happy with what she saw, and she set up
an appointment in Clonmel hospital in
Tipperary. Dr Claire O’Leary was my doctor
there. She was brilliant. Soon after I had a
colonoscopy, we discovered that I had
Ulcerative Colitis. I did not really mind all
that much, I was just glad to know what
the issue was.
After a while Dr O’Leary seemed to think
there was something more as I had told
about my itchiness. She scheduled a liver
biopsy for me in July 2017. After finding
out the results of the biopsy I was
diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing
Cholangitis (PSC).
PSC is a chronic liver disease, and it
causes problems in the bile ducts which
eventually can cause serious problems for
the liver, in some cases people need
transplants – I was one of them! It was a
bit of a shock to hear but as a 17-year-old
lad it did not get me down much. I had no
real flare-ups from the PSC and apart from
itchiness and a lack of energy I felt like I
could carry on like anyone else my age.
I always had good support from my
friends in school who were always there for
me. When I was coming to the end of my
Leaving Cert year, I began to see some
effects from the PSC.
In April of 2018 I started noticing the
whites of my eyes changing to yellow
followed by my skin. I went to Clonmel
hospital, but it was clear after blood results
that I should be transferred to the
wonderful St. Brigid’s ward in St. Vincent’s
University Hospital in Dublin. I had very bad
jaundice and spent around a month in
hospital.
When I spent time in hospital, I never
allowed it to get the better of me. Positivity
is key when going through something like
this. I always walked around the ward and
would go down to the shop without a
bother. I would then see people who may
not be able to get out of their bed and I
felt I had no right to let myself get down
about my condition because there was
always someone worse off than me.
Near the end of 2018 is when I started
to see a problem again. In the run-up to
Christmas I could see my jaundice was
coming back, and I knew I had to go to
18 IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021me too much as I knew that my
doctors had my best interest at heart,
and they were going to find me the
perfect match.
When COVID-19 began in March
2020 we joked at home about how
handy it would be if we got the call
during lockdown as it would mean
that I could get everything done while
the world is at a stop. Then on the
morning in early June the call came.
We were always prepared for this
moment. I never allowed myself to get
my hopes up as I knew that the liver
may not work out. We headed for
Dublin that morning.
As expected, I had lot of scans and
tests to do. It was a long day but the
(L-R): Saoirse Caffrey, Tom Caffrey, Tomas, Jane Ryan longer it went the better I felt about
and Oscar Caffrey (front). Tomas evening after he had his transplant that morning.
the chance of this working out. I can
Dublin. It was clear that there was an honestly say the entire day I never felt was able to go back home that day.
issue, and I was admitted. nervous, only pure excitement. I knew Things began to get better and better
The jaundice showed no signs of this was my new beginning and I was as the weeks went on.
going away and after talks of possibly ecstatic. I am now nearly a year post-
getting a stent it was decided that I At close to midnight it was finally transplant and I truly feel like a new
would need a biliary drain. I initially time to head to surgery. As I went man. I have so much more energy in
thought the worst but after the down, I could not believe it was all everyday life. Before the transplant I
situation was explained it seemed like actually happening. I walked into the used to spend my night up because of
the best option. operating room and I knew that this the most horrendous itch and I would
I had a drain fitted on 11th January was it, it was going to happen, and all be drained of energy every day but
2019, this helped drain my liver and the hard work was done and time to from the minute I woke up from my
so the jaundice slowly went. They told leave it to the professionals. My transplant my itch was gone and over
me that this might only last a little operation started at 12.40am and the weeks after my transplant my
while but, hopefully, it would help finished at 6.10 am – so much quicker energy started to improve.
long-term. I never was ashamed of than they thought it would take. It has changed my life for the better
having a tube coming out of me. In The first couple of days are very and it’s all thanks to the amazing
those situations you must be hazy. When I left ICU it began to get people in St. Vincent’s hospital and
confident. I took pride in my drain and harder. I knew it would get worse Clonmel hospital. I had a heavy few
I would never be shy about talking before it got easier. I was in a good bit years but I also had some of the best
about it. A few days later I was put on of pain which was expected but on years of my life.
the liver transplant list and that started day five I began to see the light at the If I could give any piece of advice
the big waiting game. end of the tunnel. I started to feel like for anyone who is going through
The drain was not always the most myself again. I was making something like this, it would be to not
convenient, but I dealt with it. I had conversation and even started getting let it take over your life and see the
appointments every six weeks in up a small bit. I was hesitant to start brighter side to life.
radiology to get my drain changed. I getting out of bed, but I knew it was I will be grateful every day to my
got used to it after a while and it just my best chance of recovering quickly. donor.
became normal. The drain kept me After ten days I
out of hospital apart from when I got was fit enough to go
the chickenpox. home. I could not
In February 2020, my mam got the believe how quick it
call from St. Vincent’s Hospital just was. I was feeling
after 6 in the morning. I was in great and looking
Athlone at College and my mam was forward to getting
in Tipperary, but we were organised back to my own bed.
that if this happened my mam’s I had very little
cousin, who lives in Athlone, would complications in the
collect me and meet her at the weeks after. I had
hospital. ascites, which is an
We all got there with no problems abnormal build-up of
and I had to have bloods done and fluid in the abdomen,
then we were waiting for a little and we travelled back
while. We were then told that the liver up to Dublin and they
Tomas (10) at training
was not viable. It did not dishearten sorted me out and I
IKA S U P P O R T S U M M E R 2021 19You can also read
