Organ Donor Awareness Week comes to Mullingar
Organ Donor Awareness Week takes place from Saturday next, March 30, to Saturday April 6 and the Westmeath Branch of the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) will be out meeting the public and distributing organ donor cards.
The week is a key one for the Westmeath IKA Branch and Chairman, Eddie Flood is urging people to come forward and lend whatever support they can in terms of volunteering their time. Members will be stationed at Aldi, Mullingar on Saturday next and on Oliver Plunkett Street, but they are appealing for more help this year.
With fewer volunteers it means there will be less stations around Mullingar, which is a real pity as the message may not get out. As well as raising awareness around organ donation, the week is also a chance to fundraise through the sale of ‘Forget Me Not’ emblems and other items, with all monies raised going to the Irish Kidney Association.
The Westmeath Branch will also be at Dunnes Stores, Mullingar on Thursday next, April 4, and Tesco, Kinnegad on Saturday April 6.
There will also be volunteers out in Athlone over the course of next week and in the Golden Island Shopping Centre on April 6.
“We’re appealing for any help volunteers can give give us over the week. If anyone has any spare time to give, they can contact me and we will be delighted to have their help and support,” Eddie said.
Eddie is a kidney transplant patient himself and received his organ some eight years ago. Happily, all is good with life and the Killucan resident now has the health to enjoy things with his family.
The Westmeath Branch wants to take this opportunity to extend good wishes to all members and they hope everyone is in good health and enjoying life.
Organ Donor Awareness Week was officially launched in the Mansion House, Dublin last Tuesday and the ambassador for this year’s event is RTÉ’s Ray D’Arcy. Westmeath treasurer, Eileen Dunican attended the event.
If you can volunteer any time over the course of the week, contact Eddie Flood on 087 966 5750.
Sympathy
The Westmeath IKA Branch wish to offer condolences to secretary Cathy Smith, whose father passed away. Sincere sympathy is tendered to Cathy and her family members.