After a life battling kidney diseases, Simon, 28, gets an organ 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.
Simon was one of 12 people to be called to the hospital last week to undergo a kidney transplant and, following a speedy recovery, was discharged on Thursday.
His mother had been screened to see if she was suitable to donate one of her kidneys to him. All the tests were completed last spring and they were waiting for a theatre date for the transplant to proceed.
However, a deceased donor became available last week and the donor’s kidney was found to be a perfect tissue match.
Simon was three months old when he contracted Hemolytic-uremic syndrome, a disease that attacked his kidneys. Aged 5, he contracted another kidney disease — nephritis.
“Simon can now live a normal life and is looking forward to sharing a normal meal with his family and friends,” said Helen.
“We are overjoyed, but our feelings of elation are tempered with sadness. The bright shining light that has been bestowed on our family is thanks to an anonymous donor.”
Helen said her family’s thoughts were with the donor’s grieving family at this time.
Organ Donor Awareness Week, organised by the Irish Kidney Association, ends today.
www.ika.ie
