Brave Michaela waited until after Leaving Certificate for second kidney transplant

By Maurice Garvey

A YOUNG student showed her determination to complete her Leaving Certificate, by holding out for a kidney transplant until after her exams.

Brave Michaela Delany (17) from Monastery Gate in Clondalkin was the recipient of a kidney donation from her mother Liz Delany in September 2016.

This was Michaela’s second kidney transplant – she was just two-years-of-age when she underwent a kidney transplant from a deceased donor.

Doctors were aware two years ago that this kidney was starting to fail, and for the second time in 15 years, Michaela’s mother Liz put herself forward as a donor.

“The average person says ‘oh my God’ when they think of a kidney donation, but there is nothing as gratifying as giving someone life, and it also gives you a good insight into the brilliant work done by doctors and nurses,” said Liz.

“They say there is no reason for a kidney transplant to last 20 years, but some can last longer and some up to 15 years. It’s different for children, with new changes in medication, hopefully now she has grown she will continue to improve.”

Liz continued: “We were aware two years ago that it looked like the first kidney would fail. Michaela held out till her Leaving Cert, because of all the hard work she had put into it. Straight after she had the transplant. I worked up for six months beforehand. Doctors leave no stone unturned.”

On the day of the transplant, Liz was in Beaumont Hospital for her operation, and then the kidney was transported by a doctor to Temple Street to complete the process with Michaela.

“It sounds funny but it went well. I needed the full 12 weeks to recover as your body is getting used to working without one kidney, but there was relief in the end.”

Mother and daughter were at the Mansion House last week to promote Organ Donor Awareness Week 2017.

RTE’s Courts Reporter and living kidney donor for her nephew Vivienne Traynor is the Ambassador for Organ Donor Awareness Week.

Ms Traynor is also relative of Michaela and Liz.

Meanwhile, the Irish Kidney Association has proposed an organ donor registry in line with the new HSE consent policy.

Organ donor cards can also be obtained by phoning the IKA LoCall 1890 543639 or Freetext the word DONOR to 50050. Visit www.ika.ie or download the IKA’s new digital donor card by visiting www.donor.ie on your smartphone.