Family of Offaly organ donor attend IKA's thanksgiving service

The family of a young Offaly organ donor who passed away earlier this year were among the large congregation that attended the Irish Kidney Association's (IKA) Annual 34th Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving that was held in Dublin last Sunday.

Michelle Kavanagh from Tullamore passed away in January at the age of 37. Her mother Nancy, a kidney transplant recipient, attended the thanksgiving service in Corpus Christi Church, Homefarm, along with her daughter Maria, grand daughter Alisha and niece Kathleen.

Now in its 34th year, the service is held to honour organ donors and their families. Taking part in the ecumenical service were courageous families of deceased organ donors and living donors and grateful transplant recipients of heart, lungs, liver, kidney, pancreas and bone marrow.  Also attending the service were members of the wider organ donation and transplant community, including donor and transplant coordinators and medical, surgical and nursing staff.

For many donor families this unique service has become an anniversary to both remember their loved ones, and for transplant recipients, the opportunity to honour and give thanks for the wonderful ‘gift of life’ they have received.

For organ donor cards Freetext DONOR to 50050 or visit website www.ika.ie/get-a-donor-card  You can also download the IKA’s digital organ donor card. Your wishes to be an organ donor can also be included on the driving licence which is indicated on the back by code 115.