The recent announcement follows reports that there are currently 200 people in Northern Ireland on the organ transplant waiting list. With only 33% of the local community registered on the organ donor list, the lack of supply to meet demand has resulted in 15 preventable deaths a year.

The Northern Ireland Transplant Association provides a service to all those going through the hardships of organ donation. By partnering with the charity, Belfast City Airport will be supporting numerous fundraising events throughout the year, with the hopes of raising crucial funds for the charity and promoting organ donation.

Erica Ferguson, Chairwoman for the Northern Ireland Transplant Association said: “This is an amazing opportunity for a small local charity like ourselves to be included in the charity efforts of a large organisation such as George Best Belfast City Airport.

“The partnership will be instrumental in boosting our presence with the public whilst also stressing the importance of signing onto the organ donor register and informing loved ones in advance. Each donor can save up to seven lives which is incredible!

“The funding from the airport will remain in Northern Ireland to help support local families affected by organ donation and transplantation. We provide travel expenses to hospitals for families to visit a loved one, personal necessities and any wheelchairs or other equipment to assist those in need as much as possible.

Stephen Patton, Human Resources Manager at George Best Belfast City Airport, said: “One of our key missions at Belfast City Airport is to support the local community by assisting charitable projects to carry out their vital work and help those in need.

“Organ donation is an ongoing issue in Northern Ireland and so many need to travel to the mainland to undergo a transplant each year, so working at the airport, our staff see just how many people are affected.

“All members of the Northern Ireland Transplant Association are voluntary workers, and both the Transplant Association and the Airport share the same community values which makes the charity a perfect choice for our partnership this year.

“Through the partnership, we hope to raise the profile of organ donation in Northern Ireland and with the amount of people travelling through the airport everyday this is very achievable.”

Courtesy of Business First Online

BMA Northern Ireland debates organ donation soft opt out with Health Minister Edwin Poots. The British Medical Association in Northern Ireland today encouraged the Health Minister to adopt a system of presumed consent for organ donation at a round table discussion held at Parliament Buildings. Speaking at the event the Association’s chair, Dr Paul Darragh said lives would be saved and much suffering alleviated as a result.

“The time has come for the whole of society in Northern Ireland to look seriously at the issues surrounding organ donation. With over 200 people in Northern Ireland waiting on a transplant and only 30% of the population on the donor register we need to address this problem as a matter of urgency.” With less than a third of the population in Northern Ireland on the organ donation register, BMA Northern Ireland believes that a ‘soft’ opt-out option would increase organ donations, by making donation the default position from which people may opt out during their lifetime if they so wish.

Dr Darragh added, “Losing a loved one is a difficult time for any family. It is important that individual’s and family’s wishes on organ donation are taken into consideration following their death. The ‘soft’ opt-out approach will help us deal with the current issue of a shortage of organs for transplants, whilst also retaining sensitivity to the wishes of the potential donor’s relatives.” Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, former GAA player Joe Brolly who donated his kidney to Shane Finnegan and Chair of NI Transplant Association Erica Ferguson, all of whom have had personal experience of organ transplants, participated in the discussion. Erica Ferguson is grateful to have received a liver transplant. She contracted a serious liver condition that immediately put her life in danger, giving her only days to live. “I had 48 hours to live and the first available liver in the whole of Europe had to be given to me, so I went on the international register for a life-saving transplant.”

“If it hadn’t been for that liver I would be dead. I have managed to see my daughter go to university, she was 8 when I got ill, I might not have been here and I might not have seen her grow up – so for a stranger who I never knew and never will to give me the gift of life, show compassion at the worst time in someone’s life, it’s amazing.” Commenting at the BMA event in support of opt out legislation Joe said, “The opt out proposition is very subtle but would deliver a sea change in terms of the numbers of people receiving organs, making a profound impact upon the lives of many families. There are no losers in this.” Shane added, “The presumption, in this system, is that a person wishes to donate unless they opt out but crucially the family will always have the final say enshrining the altruism within organ donation – a sacred gift from one family to another.”

I’m 40 (celebrated my 40th in June 2013) and I’m from Belfast. I went to Our Lady of Mercy, Secondary School but left school in Lower 6th. I am the Events & Community Fundraising Manager for Friends of the Cancer Centre. My husband’s name is Tony, he’s 42 and he’s Graphic Production manager for a Printing and Exhibition company. We have no children but a little pooch, Mustard.

2. How has your life changed in 2013?

I had a heart and double lung transplant in 2003 so celebrated my 10th anniversary in April this year. After attending Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, where I had the transplant I was given the fantastic news that I only have to attend the hospital on a yearly basis as opposed to the bi-annually which I had been doing. Also turning 40 has been life changing – for someone who thought they would never see 40, it was and still is incredible. I must be one of the only people to enjoy being 40!

3. Describe the day in which you got your ‘all-clear’

I was at clinic at Freeman in October and was planning to ask the doctor if my appointments could be made annually and then he said it (before I had a chance to ask)! I was so happy. With a transplant, there is always the possibility of rejection of the organs so the fear that that might happen is always there. But I can’t live my life worrying and I try to make the most of everything.

4. Did you plan to wait until the ‘all clear’ to get married?

Tony and I have been together for 21 years, we never planned on getting married but at the start of 2012 we just made the decision to go for it! Our friends and family had stopped asking and never thought it would happen so they were pretty shocked when we set the date.

5. How did you first discover you needed a heart and lung transplant? And how did your family react – were you all shocked and scared? (apologies for having to ask obvious questions Claire!)

I was born with transposition of the greater vessels with only 2 chambers in my heart and not 4 as is normal. I was only able to produce 25% oxygen which made my breathing very weak and although I was able to go to mainstream school, I was out of school sick a lot. When I was about 6 months old, my mother and father were told that I wouldn’t see my second birthday! When I was told in 1998 that I would need a heart and double lung transplant it was a shock, but as a family, we weren’t scared, we just knew that by getting the transplant it would mean a new life for me.

6. What do you remember of the operation and your recovery?

I spent 7 weeks over at Freeman Hospital after the transplant, first in ICU, then a High Dependency unit.  After the transplant, my kidneys began to fail so I was put on dialysis and due to one of the medicines I had been given I also experienced seizures.  I also had a few cases of rejection and was put on a high dosage of steroids.  Thankfully the kidneys started to work by themselves after a few weeks and the seizures stopped shortly afterwards. The worst thing about the operation was being away from home and my family. My family made a rota of who came to stay with me whilst I was over there but it’s not the same as being at home.

 7. What were your chances of survival?

I never thought for one minute that I wasn’t going to get the transplant. I have a very positive attitude and am and always have been a fighter so I never thought I wouldn’t make it.

8. How has the transplant affected your life?

The transplant has changed my life completely, the only down side is there is always a risk of rejection and therefore I have to be extremely careful with colds, infections, etc as they can turn into rejection. Also, the medication I take can affect other organs such as my kidneys and liver so the doctors at the Belfast City Hospital and Freeman Hospital keep a close eye on me. I have to have regular blood tests to check that my medication is at the right level to prevent organ failure but minimise negative effects.

9. Did it change your personality and outlook on life in any way?

As I said before, I have always been a positive person but I do value life more now – I lost my dad suddenly in 1999, when I was very sick and I think that give me the strength to go on and make him proud.

 10. What do you know of your donor?

I have no knowledge of my donor – except that she was a woman in her 40’s. I thank her family every day because if they hadn’t donated her organs, I wouldn’t be here today.

11. Do you feel like a walking miracle?

People ask me and tell me this all the time, but I don’t think of myself as a walking miracle – working for Friends of the Cancer Centre, I see miracles every day. For instance, a young lady who helped us with a fundraising campaign thought she would be in hospital over Christmas but left hospital shortly before Christmas. She called into the office a while ago looking stunning and I just thought how she is a real inspiration to us all.

12.  How did you feel on your wedding day?

Our wedding day was amazing. Not having my dad there was sad but he loved Tony and I know he would have been glad that we were finally getting married. I was so happy and never stopped smiling the whole day. I got to marry my best friend and the man who has looked after and cared for me for the last 21 years. He’s an extraordinary guy. When we first met I told him straight away about my illness and it never fazed him, he has taken everything in his stride and is very proud of everything I have accomplished in 10 years.

14.  What are your wishes and hope for the future?

I can’t wish for anything more than I have right now.  I started working for Friends of the Cancer Centre in January 2014 and I hope that, in some small way, we can continue to make a difference to the lives of cancer patients and their families.

“Come up to the garden on to the deck and watch the panoramic view over the Lough on this nice warm sunny day”, Mary beckoned. Yes I was here to hear her story of how her heart was broken and the family shattered that awful cold, icy day on 21st February 2008. “There’s been an accident!” It was 6.55 and Martin was diverted going to work because of a mishap on the icy road. A car had skidded on the bend outside the garage! Was anyone hurt? Who was in the car? Martin asked Mary to ring Paudraig on his mobile. No reply! A sickening feeling of apprehension came over Martin. Let’s go and see if we can help.

“Oh No! When she heard the loud bang, the lady in the house overlooking the scene quickly ushered her children away from the windows and pulled the curtains and told them to stay indoors. Local nurses on their way to work came on the carnage and did all they could to help until the ambulance and police arrived. Remember this is a small, tight-knit community where everyone knows each other. Paudraig’s girlfriend was on the phone and Grainne asked her mother to come quick to the spot where the car skidded and Mary and Grainne arrived at the same time and asked to see Paudraig but were told, “No, sorry. It was a bad accident and maybe he’s already gone to the hospital!” The police were kind and took the details but said they couldn’t take them to the hospital as they had to stay and man the road. There are few police in this rural area.

When Mary got to the hospital, Martin was already there beside their precious son with wires and tubes emphasising the seriousness of Paudraig’s condition. The medical staff were working with Paudraig and they said, “Be prepared for the worst.” Paudraig who had just turned 21 on the 13th February was unconscious from the start. He was in no pain but just lying there still in the Intensive Care Unit of the Ulster Hospital with caring nurses and doctors doing their best but admitting they could do no more for him.

Mary told the staff to let anyone of his friends who wished to come in as she felt they helped to share the burden and gave the family a break. His girlfriend and best mates talked to him. They recalled how he loved his job as a joiner and was first into work and last out at night. He had enjoyed his life to the full going to concerts and out with his mates. His major gift that he was born with was his ability to draw and paint. Mary showed me his paintings adorning her walls and especially the huge life-sized one he did of his grandmother that was admired by one and all. He was a sportsman and like his dad and brother was fond of the local game of hurling and football with many paintings reflecting this. His teacher wanted him to go to Art College but he chose joinery instead.

Paudraig had carried a donor card and had made his wishes known to his family and his family were keen that this should happen once it was clear that he was not going to recover. Although ….grief….. The Transplant Coordinator sent them a lovely letter explaining, in general, not giving details, where his organs were used and this has brought comfort and a sense of closure for them. They would like everyone to carry a donor card and let their wishes be known to their family and friends so other lives can be saved. When Mary held Paudraig, her first born with his swarthy looks and lots of thick black hair in her arms she was the proudest mother. She had no idea he would prove so talented an artist and sportsman and, although tragically dying at such a young age leaving them a legacy of wonderful paintings to remember him by. Through organ donation a part of him will live on helping others to enjoy life as he so happily did. Live life – then give life.

Valentine’s Day will always be a day that sticks in my mind. That day 14th February 2002 I went to my Doctor not feeling quite 100%, I didn’t know the journey that lay ahead of me. I was referred to the Belfast City Hospital and admitted late that night. During the next two weeks I became very jaundiced and lost a lot of weight. The medical staff struggled to find a reason for my illness. At that stage Dr Johnson decided that I should be transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, England. On 1st March 2002 my husband, Gary, and I travelled to Birmingham for what I thought would be a brief story.

On arrival, I was admitted to the specialist liver unit where they assessed the seriousness of my condition. After many tests I was told I had acute liver failure. On the 9th March I was told my only chance of survival was a liver transplant/ soon after hearing this news my condition deteriorated and I was rushed into the Intensive Care Unit. I was then placed at the top of the International Organ Donor Register.

On March 11th a liver became available and the operation was a success although I was it was touch and go at times. My donor was a 48-year-old man from Woolwich who had sadly suffered a brain trauma. Post transplant I had many complications and spent much of the next year in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. My condition worsened during October 2003 and after a biopsy I was told that the main artery in the liver was blocked and that I would need a 2nd liver transplant. I was put on the transplant list and was told my wait may be longer as I needed a perfect match. On April 26th 2004 I received the phone call at home that a donor liver had become available and the organ was suitable.

I travelled overnight with my husband and mother to Birmingham where the operation was to be performed on the 27th April. My second liver came from a 18 year old girl from Northern Ireland. She had died from bacterial meningitis. Post transplant I am making a steady recovery, I still attend the hospital in Birmingham for regular checkups.

My family have been a great support to me throughout these difficult times and I try to lead a normal a life as possible. I feel very fortunate to have been given this wonderful gift of life. I am very grateful to my donors and think about them everyday. I have joined the Northern Ireland Transplant Association because I wanted to try and help others and create awareness of how important it is to be an organ donor. Life is precious and since I have been given a second chance I intend to put it to good use. A very special thanks to my donors and their families, for giving me the Gift of Life

However, I was asked to consider a heart transplant and not wishing for the alternative I asked the Doctor to make the necessary arrangements. I went for an assessment, which lasted for 10 days at The Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. After a lot of tests they agreed to put me on the urgent list and I came back to The Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast to wait for a suitable heart, which was my blood group, my tissue type and the right size from a donor within 5 lbs of my weight. It had to fit!

The operation lasted only four hours and the surgeons tell me that it is easier to do than a bypass and involves less pain. My wife, Beverly, our five children and my brother were attentive and friends supportive which was a great boost for my morale. After one day in Intensive Care I was up and eating a full three course meal!

Three days later I was on an exercise bike!After ten days I was discharged to a small flat in the hospital grounds. Fourteen weeks later I came back to Belfast. Nowadays folk return home to Northern Ireland in four or five weeks I continue to ride a bicycle and try to get as much exercise as possible to keep my new heart healthy. I will take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of my life to stop my body attacking the new heart

After returning to Northern Ireland I realised that other people going to England for their transplants may benefit from my experiences and I started a support group called The Northern Ireland Transplant Association in October 1991. We started with 2 members and now in 2007 we have over 200! We travel the Province encouraging people to be aware of the desperate need for more organs and how easy it is to sign the Donor Card and Register and to tell their relatives of their wishes. Today there are over 90 folk living in Northern Ireland with new hearts, 90 with new livers, some with new lungs or heart and lungs and others with multiple organ transplants. They all went out of the country for their operations as we have too small a population to sustain a specialised Transplant Unit here for these types of operations.

There have been over 2000 kidney transplants performed at the Belfast City Hospital and numerous corneal transplants on folk living here. Some people ask what I feel like having a 17 year old’s heart inside of my 73 year old body Apart from it beating stronger than my old, weak and damaged one there is no difference, I am so glad that he or she signed a Donor Card and the relatives saved me from certain early death by giving me The Gift of Life. Every day I say a silent “Thank You” to my Donor Family. Don’t ask relatives to burn or bury your organs when you die. Please sign and carry a Donor Card so others may live.