After a life battling kidney diseases, Simon, 28, gets an organ transplant

A well-known family of jewellers has received a gift more precious than any gemstone — a long-awaited kidney transplant.

Simon Appleby, 28, the son of Helen and Gerry, received a kidney transplant last week. Simon’s mother contacted the Irish Kidney Association to spread the Dublin-based family’s good news and create awareness about organ donation.

Twenty years ago, Simon’s grandfather John Appleby’s organs were donated. Coincidentally, the same transplant co-ordinator that helped the Appleby family through the donation process was on duty at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, when Simon arrived for his transplant.