Thank you for giving me life . . .
A NINE-year-old transplant recipient, an organ donor, and a mother of a deceased organ donor child participated in the Irish Kidney Association’s Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving, reports London Brazal.
Two years ago Josh Harbourne’s mother Karen Kelly donated a kidney to him. Since the opperation Josh has regular check-ins at Temple Street every six to eight weeks while Karen gets checked yearly in Beaumont – she took a little bit longer to recover energy-wise while Josh bounced back very quickly. Now, the two are healthy and very well.
Josh, who is from Tallaght, was the only child transplant recipient at the Service of Remembrance and the only person in attendance who received a transplant organ from a living donor. His mother accompanied him in a gifts procession as he carried a collaboration of his two favourite interests to the altar: the Lego model of Harry Potter’s ‘Hedwig the Owl’.
Karen told The Echo about her feelings towards the service and becoming a donor: “The ceremony was so emotional on so many different levels. But to feel how lucky we are, that I was a match for Josh, made it so special. I would definitely spread the word on becoming a donor, especially when it hits home – you get to hear some incredible stories.”
Kelly is a part of a small support group for families waiting on kidney transplants. She hopes they get their day soon. She is also very grateful to the very special teams in Temple Street and Beaumont. “God only knows, they are our heroes,” she said.
Another symbolic procession in the service included a large organ donor card being carried to the altar by heart transplant recipient Aoife Farrell and Lucan native Crystal Gail Spollen whose oldest daughter Neveah became an organ donor after she passed away just weeks before her tenth birthday.
Crystal Gayle Spollen, mother of deceased organ donor child Neveah, at the IKA’s 36th Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving 2021
The Irish Kidney Association’s 36th Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving is a pre-recorded interfaith Service that will be broadcast on RTÉ News and Live on RTÉ Player on November 21 at 2.15pm.
The Service was recorded by Kairos Communications at Merrion Road Church to remember loved ones who became organ donors and to honour transplant recipients who can give thanks for the ‘gift of life’ they have received.
The Service includes a Service of Light Ceremony, the Book of Remembrance, music and song by cantor Dr Sharon Lyons and the Pro-Nuova Music Group, a reading by President Michael D. Higgins and much more.
Flower arrangements, which adorned the altar, were prepared by Una Whelan, a member of the Dublin East Wicklow branch of the Irish Kidney Association and wife of kidney transplant recipient John Whelan, the National Honorary Secretary and former National honorary Chairman of the Irish Kidney Association.
Prior to Covid-19, the annual event attracted a physical congregation of close to 2,000 people. At last year’s first ‘virtual’ Service, 64,000 households nationwide tuned in to watch its first viewing on RTÉ and it was streamed in 24 other countries.
