People who carry a donor card are heroes

People who carry a donor card are heroes

By Mary Dennehy

AHEAD of proposed legislation for an ‘opt-out’ system for organ donation going before Government next month, The Echo spoke with three local people whose lives have been transformed by organ donation.

The Minister for Health Simon Harris is due to bring proposed legislation for a Human Tissue Bill before the Government in February.

Opt Out Lenny Ryan 2

Lenny Ryan does not agree with an opt-out system 

A public consultation was held by the Department of Health in August 2017 on the proposed Bill, which could signal the introduction of an organ donation ‘opt-out’ register.

In this system, a person is ‘presumed’ to have given consent for their organs to be used unless they’ve opted out on the register.

The families of those who are ‘presumed’ donors will still be approached for consent.

However, while the ‘opt-out’ register is being seen as a step forward, some believe that not capturing the details of those who wish to ‘opt-in’ is a missed opportunity.

There are also concerns that the proposed opt-out system will potentially stop the conversation between families on organ donation, resulting in next of kin being unaware of their loved one’s wishes on organ donation.

Living in Clondalkin, Liz Delany’s daughter Michaela (19) has had two kidney transplants, the first when she was just two years old.

Opt Out Liz and Michaela Delany

Liz Delany with her daughter Michaela who has had two kidney transplants

“After Michaela’s first transplant her life took off,” Liz said.

“She was on dialysis from when she was 17 months and because she was a baby she was running into a lot of complications.”

Liz told The Echo how Michaela’s condition as a baby was not improving but after receiving the gift of a kidney she has grown into a busy teenager who loves walking, swimming and singing in her school choir.

Michaela’s second kidney transplant took place over two years ago, when her mam Liz became her live donor.

“I think having just an opt-out system is not the best, I think there should be an opt-in system as well,” Liz told The Echo.

“Everyone is ‘presumed’ a donor if they don’t opt-out, which may not get a conversation started between families.

“At the end of the day, organ donation is the next of kin’s decision.

“However, if there was an opt-in system where people can say ‘I want to be a donor’ it could help a family with their decision.

“The next of kin would know a loved one’s intentions, and would know for sure that a loved one had opted-in.”

In Lucan, father-of-two Ken Mulkerrins, who had a heart transplant in 2016, believes the proposed opt-out register is a “missed trick”.

Ken, who was born with a congenital heart defect, last summer embarked on a 212km cycle from Lucan to Galway to encourage people to make their wishes about organ donation known to their next of kin.

Opt Out Ken with his children Conor and Kate Mulkerrins

Ken with his children Conor and Kate Mulkerrins 

He told The Echo: “Firstly I’m not against the opt-out register but I think it is a missed trick.

“The State is spending time and funds on a register that should be an all-inclusive register, who wants to be a donor and who doesn’t want to be a donor.

“It could help to make things an awful lot easier at a time when a family is grieving.”

While Ken believes the register is a “step forward”, he doesn’t see a huge advantage in only registering the details of people who wish to opt-out.

Lenny Ryan from Tymonville in Tallaght has had two kidney transplants.

A seasoned competitor, Lenny has represented Ireland in the European Transplant and Dialysis Sports Championships and the World Transplant games, bringing home a haul of medals for petanque, bowling and darts.

“People who donate their organs, or carry an organ donor card, really are heroes,” Lenny told The Echo.

“Getting the donation of an organ is the greatest gift you’re ever going to get…and I’m trying to be the best person I can be and live up to what my two donors did for me.

“Everything I can do is thanks to them and their families.”

When asked about the Government’s proposed opt-out system, Lenny said: “I don’t really agree with an opt-out system, rather I believe we should have an opt-in system.

“A loved one will still have to give permission [for organ donation], so people still need to have a conversation [with an opt-out system].

“That’s why we promote organ donor cards as they get the conversation started [between families].”

Lenny believes that an opt-in register would be better as families would be aware of their loved one’s wishes.

Colin White, the National projects Manager with the Irish Kidney Association (IKA), also branded the Government proposal as a “missed opportunity”.

“We believe the Government should go one step further and capture the details of people who want to opt-in”, Mr White said.

He believes that an opt-in system would help to ensure that any approach made to a family on organ donation would be from an informed position.

Visit www.ika.ie to find out how you can get a digital donor card.  

Alternatively you can also freetext DONOR to 50050, email donor[at] ika [dot] ie or call 6205306.

When contacted by The Echo, a spokesperson for the Department of Health said: “It is proposed to submit the General Scheme of a Human Tissue Bill to Government in February.

“The General Scheme will include provisions for a soft opt-out system of consent for deceased organ donation and an opt-out register.”

TAGS
Share This