Local Fine Gael TD, Frances Fitzgerald, has urged her constituents across Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas to become organ donors.
Speaking ahead of Organ Donor Awareness Week 2018, Fitzgerald said: “I am proud to support this annual life-saving awareness campaign organised by the Irish Kidney Association and supported by the ODTI (Organ Donation Transplantation Ireland).”
Organ Donor Awareness Week 2018 runs from Saturday 31st March- Saturday 7th April.
Fitzgerald added: “Organ Donor Awareness Week is a great time to highlight how organ donation can save lives. The Irish Kidney Association says that almost 3500 transplanted people in Ireland are enjoying extended life thanks to organ donation.
“I encourage everyone to get an Organ Donor Card if they don’t already have one.
“If you do already have the card, make sure to inform your nearest and dearest of your wish to donate your organs should anything happen to you.
“The Government is strongly encouraging and supporting organ donation and the Human Tissue Bill currently going through the Oireachtas seeks to legislate for family consent and an opt-out register for organ donation. Under this system, consent will be deemed unless the person has, while alive, registered their wish not to become an organ donor after death. It is proposed that the next of kin will always be consulted prior to removing any organ.
“The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, recently published the results of an informed public consultation on the opt-out provision. He confirmed to the Dáil that we expect this legislation to go to pre-legislative scrutiny in the Oireachtas this year and I believe we will make a lot of progress on this matter in 2018.
“2017 was a record year for organ transplantation for Ireland with a total of 327 organs being
transplanted into 321 patients including a total of 23 children/paediatric transplants. So let’s keep this great record going and encourage everyone to get an Organ Donor Card this week.
“People are also encouraged to ensure that their willingness to donate is visible by carrying the organ donor card and permitting Code 115 to be included on their driver’s license,” concluded Fitzgerald.
Organ Donor Cards can also be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association tel. 01
6205306 or Free text the word DONOR to 50050. Visit website www.ika.ie/card
