Tribute to Mairead Whalen, RIP, pioneer of pancreas transplantation in Ireland

On New Year’s Eve 1991, Mairead Ward, aged 34, made history as the first person in Ireland to receive a simultaneous kidney–pancreas transplant. That courageous decision and the success of her operation, performed by pioneering surgeon Dr David Hickey and his team at Beaumont Hospital, launched a new era in transplant medicine in Ireland.

Mairead went on to become one of the longest surviving kidney-pancreas transplant recipients in the world. She passed away on December 8 last, aged 68, leaving a remarkable legacy of resilience and hope for transplant patients everywhere.

Dr Hickey will attend Mairead’s funeral service at St Livinius Church, Killulagh, tomorrow Friday December 12, at 11am. Mairead will be laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.

Thanks to her groundbreaking transplant operation, Mairead gained nearly 34 years of renewed health, free from dialysis, and no longer dependent on daily insulin injections.

Because of patients like Mairead, Ireland’s pancreas-transplant programme grew and over the decades many more individuals have benefited. Fewer than 200 kidney–pancreas transplants have taken place in Ireland to date.

During his long and distinguished career, Dr David Hickey performed more than 1,500 kidney transplants and 138 kidney–pancreas operations.

Speaking from his home in Dublin, the now retired transplant surgeon said: “Mairead had a remarkable sense of fairness and justice. I remember she was living in Gardiner Street, Dublin at the time. One day, she came in to the clinic and asked why there was no pancreas-transplant programme in Ireland, noting that a friend of hers had to travel to Wales for the operation.

“She challenged us and was insistent, and rightly so, to provide in Ireland what patients were forced to seek abroad. Her courage helped change the direction of transplantation in this country. Without people like Mairead, advances don’t happen.

“At that time in Ireland, only deceased donors under the age of 30 were eligible for pancreas transplants. From the moment Mairead’s donor was identified, to the transport of the organ to Dublin and the completion of the operation at Beaumont Hospital, the entire process took approximately 24 hours.

“Ireland’s first transplant coordinator, Phyllis Cunningham, was there throughout, ensuring everything ran smoothly. I was assisted by Malachy Gleeson. The operation was finally completed close to midnight on New Year’s Eve 1991, almost welcoming the new year.”

Dr Hickey’s pioneering efforts, along with patients like Mairead, laid the groundwork for the national pancreas-transplant programme which has migrated from Beaumont to St Vincent’s Hospital. Their work has given numerous families hope, more years, and better quality of life.

A native of Rickardstown, Mairead was born on February 3, 1957 to parents, Seamus and Molly, and had one sister, Ann, all of whom predeceased her.

She attended national school in Johnstown and Loreto College, Mullingar.

Mairead began her career as a clerical assistant in the Old Courthouse offices in Delvin in the late 1970s, later working in the County Council offices in Mullingar.

She moved to Dublin and was working there as her health was declining. She remained in Dublin for some time and later, while studying, she met her future husband, Joe Whalen, whom she married in 2013.

They moved to her native Rickardstown, where they enjoyed a quiet life surrounded by extended family, friends, and neighbours. A family friend described her as “very kind, happy, and always smiling”.

Mairead passing away suddenly on Tuesday December 8 marks the end of an extraordinary personal journey and her legacy celebrating medical innovation, and hope. Not only was she a patient, but she was also a trailblazer.

In a tribute, the Irish Kidney Association stated: “We offer our deepest condolences to Mairead’s husband Joe, her cousins, and all who loved her. In celebrating her life, we honour a woman whose resilience and quiet strength helped transform transplantation in Ireland and whose memory will continue to inspire.”

May Mairead rest in peace.