Kinnegad mother takes part in IKA's Service of Remembrance
The local mother of a young girl who became an organ donor when she passed away just before her tenth birthday participated in the Irish Kidney Association's annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving which will be broadcast this Sunday.
Kinnegad's Crystal Gail Spollen carried a large organ donor card to the altar during the annual service, which was held at Merrion Road Church in Dublin 4.
Crystal's eldest daughter Neveah gave a number of people the gift of light when she became an organ donor. Crystal carried the large organ donor card with heart transplant recipient Aoife Farrell from Bray, who has undergone two heart transplants ten years apart.
The pre-recorded interfaith service will be broadcast on RTÉ News Channel and on RTÉ Player on Sunday November 21 (2.15pm) coinciding with the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and the month of All Saints.
Four of the eight donor families who participated in the filming of the virtual service, remember their loved ones who became organ donors following fatal road traffic incidents.
It is the second year in a row, for the event to be held virtually and pre-recorded by Kairos Communications, due to safety concerns around the pandemic.
Prior to COVID-19, the annual event attracted a physical congregation of close to 2,000 people. At last year’s first virtual service, 64,000 households nationwide tuned in to watch its first viewing on RTÉ and it was streamed in 24 other countries.
For many organ donor families this unique annual service has become an anniversary to remember their loved ones, and for transplant recipients, the opportunity to honour and give thanks for the wonderful gift of life they have received.
The Irish Kidney Association is asking the public to actively participate in this years’ service, especially during the very symbolic Service of Light ceremony, when it is hoped that in households the length and breadth of the country, and beyond, a candle will be lit in memory of deceased donors who gave the gift of life.