Lurgan woman praises 'amazing gift' of organ donation after life-saving transplant

A Lurgan woman is encouraging people to have the conversation about organ donation after receiving a life-saving liver transplant.

The Public Health Agency claim more people than ever are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant in the UK, and last year alone, eight people in Northern Ireland died waiting for the gift of life.

New figures released by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) reveal the stark reality that across the UK; 8,096 patients, including 276 children, were on the active transplant waiting list as of 31 March 2025.

In Northern Ireland, the figure was 163, up from 151 at the same time last year despite 122 organ transplants proceeding during 2024/25. That’s 163 people here living in daily uncertainty, unsure if they will get the organ they need to save their life.

The PHA said: "Support for organ donation in Northern Ireland remains constant and high though, at 90%. By 31 March we had the highest number of registrations to the NHS Organ Donor Register at 58%, compared to other UK regions."

"The 44 incredible donors last year enabled a total 123 transplants, giving the gift of life to those in need."

Louise Kielty from Lurgan was one of them.

Louise fell critically ill in 2022, resulting in Liver Disease. This meant without a transplant, she was told she may only have five years to live.

She said it's made such a difference to her life: “I received a split liver, which means the liver was able to be divided and transplanted to both me and another recipient. In this case, a one-year-old baby boy. That’s two lives saved with one organ donation. Imagine how many other people have benefited from other organs of this one donor . . .?”

“My life is now foreseeable beyond the possible 5 years that consultants told me I may only have had without transplant, that and a steadily deteriorating quality of health.”

“I wrote a letter to the anonymous donor’s family in the January of 2025, when I had returned to work & good health. In it I tried to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for the unimaginable decision their family had made in agreeing to donation at such a time of loss for them.”

“My words to them seem inadequate in relating just how my life has changed as a result of their amazing gift to me: being able to return to work fulltime; of the health and stamina the donation has given to me; of the joy each day gives me; of a future full of life’s appreciation and anticipation.”

Louise's partner, Jenny Hanna, told us of the moment the doctor delivered the devastating news: "He said if had 100 Louise's, sitting in front of him, with the same reading she had that day, that in five years, none of them would be alive."

She went on to explain that the past year has been amazing, but the pair of them still think of the donor's family all the time: "This year particularly has been a year of firsts, and every birthday, Christmas, since Louise got her transplant, that's a first for another family as well, who lost a loved one."

She said it was incredible to see an improvement almost instantly after the transplant: "It suddenly dawned on me that her eyes were white, her Jaundice was gone. Even within a couple of days, she had improved so much... and that just continued every day."

She seconds Louise's' praise of organ donation: "Words fail me as to how valuable it is... It's life changing in every way. Not just for the patient but for the family and everyone you know. It’s amazing."

Organ donation in Northern Ireland changed to an ‘opt-out’ system in June 2023.

Under ‘Dáithí’s Law’ donation can still only go ahead with the family’s support, which is why it remains important to have the conversation.

Last year, Dáithí’s Law helped support almost a quarter of the 44 proceeding donors. Deemed Consent is applied when a loved one has not registered to opt out or expressed any decision.

Campaigner for the law change Máirtín Mac Gabhann, whose son the law was named after, welcomed the contribution Dáithí’s Law has made, saying:

“We are incredibly proud that Dáithí’s Law is already playing a role in saving lives, with almost a quarter of last year’s organ donations here supported through deemed consent. That impact is very real, and hopefully it’s just the beginning.

We’re also so proud of our Dáithí, not just for inspiring this law, but for helping to change how we, as a society, talk about organ donation. What could have been an avoided subject is now part of everyday conversations in schools, homes and communities, and we are very grateful.

None of this would be possible without donors and their families. Their bravery and compassion by thinking of others in their darkest hour makes them true heroes and it’s something we are forever grateful for.”