The Association held a special reception in the Pillar Room of the Mater Hospital on 19th of June last to acknowledge all Heart and Lung recipients who are transplanted 15 years and over. To mark the occasion each recipient was presented with a specially designed Sterling Silver Pin by Mr Maurice Nelligan and Professor Freddie Wood.
It was a unique opportunity to celebrate the success of the Heart and Lung Transplant Program and also to promote donor awareness. It was a momentous day for all present, from recipients to transplant team and staff . Nearly 30 recipients celebrated this milestone, and we are very proud that most made the trip coming from all ends of Ireland to celebrate;
Our Treasurer Marie Kennedy presented Prof Freddie Wood with a cheque for €30000.00 towards Organ Care Systems bringing the amount donated now to €70,000.00
Without your fundraising this would not have been possible, so well done to all you all.
The Presentation was opened by Chairman Brendan Gilligan who went on to acknowledge the courage and skill and foresight of Mr Maurice Nelligan, Prof Wood and their colleagues and the success of the Heart and Lung Transplant Program. He highlighted the very positive outcome of organ donation from an otherwise tragic situation, and honoured the memory of their donors, their donors families and their loved ones for their compassion and generosity of spirit.
"What better legacy can you leave than to have passed on a precious gift…………….The Gift of Life…………"
The full text of Brendans speech...
Dear Friends
On behalf of the Irish Heart and Lung Transplant Association may I welcome you all to this special presentation which is to mark a milestone in the transplant lives of our members present today.
As we join them in their celebration of lives renewed we cannot but acknowledge the courage and skill and foresight of Mr Maurice Nelligan, Prof Wood and their colleagues who in 1985 started us on this road of renewal, a road which we continue to walk with gratitude and great humility.
Holding the presentation here in the Mater allows us the opportunity to highlight the success of the Heart and Lung Transplant Program and our appreciation of the wonderful after care we receive.
Organ Donation saves lives and with the excellent post transplant care recipients receive, they can look to many years of healthy and active living. Organ transplantation is a very positive outcome from an otherwise tragic situation and we in the transplant community remember our donors, their families and their loved ones, their compassion and generosity of spirit is remembered today and always. Today’s event shows the wonderful success of life after transplantation but also reminds us of the need for an increase in organ donation so we remind people who may have thought of organ donation but as yet haven’t got around to carrying a donor card that perhaps now is the time to do so.
What better legacy can you leave than to have passed on a precious gift…………….
The Gift of Life…………
Brendan Gilligan, IHLTA Chairman
Among the other speakers was Mr Maurice Nelligan, Professor Wood, Mr McCarthy, from Transplant team, Brian Conlan C E O Mater Hospital, Terry Mangan President of European Federation Transplant games.
