Three members of Cork family receive 'life changing' transplants within six months

A Cork grandmother who became the third beneficiary of a kidney transplant in her family within the space of six months last year has told how her family was filled with “hope and gratitude” because of the quick succession of transplants in such a short space of time, and has described her new kidney as “life-changing”.

Buttevant woman Margaret Fitzgerald received a call last November to tell her that she would be having a kidney transplant operation. The call came just seven weeks after her son, Michael Fitzgerald, who lives in Carrigaline, received a kidney from a deceased organ donor.

Hereditary

A hereditary condition, polycystic kidney disease, which claimed the life of Ms Fitzgerald’s mother, Elizabeth, who was just 48 years old when she died, was inherited by her and her older brother, Joseph Cott, who had received a kidney transplant three decades ago. 

Mr Cott, who also hailed from Buttevant, had passed away in March of last year at the age of 77, but before he died, he received news that his son, Joe, would receive a living donor kidney transplant from his younger brother, Michael.

Ms Fitzgerald was speaking this week during Organ Donor Awareness Week, as the Irish Kidney Association appealed to people to share their wishes with their families. 

“Don’t leave your loved ones in doubt” is the week’s key campaign message.

“The longevity of my brother Joseph’s transplant, which lasted over three decades, and the incredible quick succession of transplants our family has received this year leaves us full of hope and gratitude,” said Ms Fitzgerald.

“Having two successful transplants for my nephew and son close together was so unexpected, but I was in total disbelief when I also got called for a transplant just seven weeks after my son’s.”

Exhausted

When Ms Fitzgerald received her transplant, her kidney function was below 10%, she was not well and had been feeling exhausted for a very long time.

“I had no idea just how much difference a transplant would make,” she said.

“I could not believe it when I got called, and when I woke up after my transplant operation, it almost felt magical, like ‘poof’ — a total transformation.

“The transplant is life-changing.”

Gratitude

Michael Fitzgerald said he could not put into words the extent of his gratitude to the family of his deceased organ donor. The donation of the kidney had transformed his life, freed him from sickness and restrictions, and being tied to dialysis. He had been undergoing that treatment twice a week for 21 months at CUH.

His cousin Joe Cott said he was very lucky not to have had to go on the transplant waiting list.

“My younger brother Michael stepped up, and it turned out he was the perfect match,” said Joe.

The Irish Kidney Association has urged people to seek an organ donor card and said that more than 600 people are waiting for a transplant in Ireland and that 223 organ donations were carried out in 2023.