Esther McCarthy: As my nephew waits for a kidney donor, a chat today is worth a life tomorrow

"He’s one teenager who won’t be given out to about having his phone on him all the time, he’s watching, hoping, for an unknown number, his bag is packed, ready by the front door. Waiting for the unimaginable to happen to another family, for their loss to be his salvation."

Kieran Harkins and his mam, pictured at their home near Mallow. Picture Chani Anderson

He doesn't go to soccer training anymore, even though he was player of the year for Kanturk AFC, not so long ago.

He doesn’t bother trying to get tickets for the hurling semi-final between Cork and Dublin, even though he’d LOVE to see his county get through to the All-Ireland. He knows he can’t go.