Main pic: Members of the Donegal Branch of IKA at last year’s coffee morning.
A number of events will take place in Donegal over the coming days in advance of Organ Donor Awareness Week.
Officially, the awareness week takes place from Monday, April 20 to 27. However, due to events beyond their control, the Donegal Branch of the Irish Kidney Association’s campaign will take place this week.
Their first event will be an information stand at Scally Place in Letterkenny for renal patients on Thursday 18th from 10am to 12 noon.
Next up will be a coffee morning in Thomas Pringle’s office, Navenny Street, Ballybofey, on Saturday from 11-2 to highlight the importance of organ donation.
Finally, on Sunday, the branch will host a non denominational service of remembrance and thanksgiving in St Mary’s Church of Mary Immaculate, Stranorlar, at 3 pm.
“This service is being held to remember and give thanks to our organ donors and our donor families,” a spokesperson for the organisers said.
This year’s Organ Donor Awareness Week campaign is built around the theme ‘Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones in Doubt!’
The key message is that members of the public can play their part in supporting organ donation for transplantation by ensuring their families are not left in any doubt about their wishes around organ donation i.e., they ‘have the conversation’.
“Sharing your wishes when you are in good health makes it a less stressful decision for your family in the event of them being approached about you being a potential organ donor.”
For more information visit ika.ie

Ballybofey man Seimi McDermott (right), who received a kidney transplant in 2002, along with Noel McGeever.