Organ Donor Awareness Week 2010

Organ Donor Awareness Week which is organised annually by the Irish Kidney Association and supported by the Irish Donor Network takes place this year from March 27th - April 3rd

The annual life saving awareness campaign aims to highlight to the general public the plight of people with organ failure and the ongoing need for organ donation for transplantation encouraging more people to make an informed decision to carry an organ donor card and to donate their organs in the event of their untimely death.

Last year (2009) and for the third year in a row, popular TV and radio broadcaster, Ryan Tubridy, lent his support to the campaign and featured in radio advertising as well as on the poster.

Ryan at last year's launch with nine month old Killian Meegan Nolan who is on dialysis.

Last year's campaign was backed up by a major public relations and TV advertising campaign and many articles and stories relating to organ donation were covered in the national and local press. During the week, TV and radio interviews, both national and local also highlighted the need for, and importance of, organ donation.

Pat May, IKA National Chairman, singer Eleanor Shanley, Martina Goggin, Strange Boat Donor Foundation, Phyllis Cunningham, Senior Transplant Coordinator, Beaumont Hospital attending last year's launch at the Mansion House

This is always a very busy week for Irish Kidney Association volunteers who take to the streets and the shopping centres throughout the country selling 'forget me not flower' emblems (the symbol of transplantation), brooches, magnetic car ribbons and organ donor key rings. Proceeds all go to the Irish Kidney Association’s support programme for patients on dialysis and those patients fortunate enough to have a kidney transplant. The support programme includes the running of a renal support centre in Beaumont Hospital and holiday centres in Kerry and Tramore, as well as patient aid and counseling services, patient training and rehabilitative work placement, health promotion and the provision of kidney patient information and education.

Information fact files which accompany organ donor cards can be obtained (free of charge) from the Irish Kidney Association and are available nationwide from pharmacies, GP surgeries and Citizen Information Offices.

Organ Donor Cards can also be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association LoCall 1890 543639 or

Freetext the word DONOR to 50050.

Visit website www.ika.ie

View link to TV3 Am Programme:

www.tv3.ie/videos.php?show_cal=2&newspanel=&showspanel=1&locID=1.65.74&date=2009-03-24

Strange Boat - Organ Donation Awareness

Organ Donor Awareness Week 2010