A thank you from Claire to Irish Liver Foundation.

Hi,

I’m Claire Mc Laughlin and I received a life-saving liver transplant 5 years ago at the age of 48.

“In 2005 I was diagnosed with Wilson’s disease. This was managed with medication up until 2019 when my liver started to fail.

That year I was in hospital more times than I was at home.

In April of that year I went through an assessment for a liver transplant but they said I wasn’t sick enough to be listed, but after months of hospital admissions with infections and sepsis, I was finally put on the list in August 2019.

I kept getting infection after infection and subsequently taken off the list after each of these infections.

Finally in September 2019 during a hospital admission I got the call.

Both myself and my family were over the moon.

The coordinator said all looked good on paper, but we wouldn’t know until the liver was removed from the donor.

I’ve found out since that five people got the call that day but I was the one who received the liver.

I thank God every day that I was the one chosen, but I pray that the other four people who needed a transplant have received theirs on time.

Unfortunately many people don’t get the chance. I cannot urge people enough to please sign the organ donor register and share their donation decisions. I can only vouch for myself on what it has meant to me.

My life has changed completely. My transplant journey has brought me closer to God. I confess his word over my health on a daily basis, I’ve discovered who and what I am in Christ Jesus and the authority I have over anything that might come against me.

I am forever grateful to my donor family and the sacrifices they’ve made in order for others to get a second chance at life. I’ve written various times to express my gratitude and let the family know how healthy and well I am.

I believe that my words and how I speak over myself truly matters.

The Bible tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue Proverbs 18 verse 21 so I choose to speak life over my body. My bloods are perfect and I am so healthy and well.

My life & health are so good since the transplant in September 2019.

We, as a family, had our first holiday together since the transplant in May 2023. It was so wonderful to enjoy that holiday with great health & that is due to that selfless decision that someone made to give life back to others through organ donation.

My donor was in his 50s I don’t know whether he had a family or not I just know that he was married and it was his wife whom I’ve written to.

I received a reply back from her saying that she was delighted I was doing well and told me that the family when approached about organ donation never once hesitated.

Organs are of no use to us when we are dead so I plead with anyone reading my story to sign that register today, you have no idea the blessing that it will bring.

There are so many people alive and healthy today because of that selfless decision that someone made.

The ripple effect of gratitude is felt by so many families friends and communities of the people blessed to receive these organs.

I was told I didn’t have another day left with my own liver, how grateful am I to be here today celebrating life and living it to the fullest. However am here to be blessed many more birthdays.

My gratitude will always first be to my donor family and to Jesus my Lord & Saviour, for the precious gift that was given to me ”

After 5 years with no problems or complications suddenly my liver went into rejection so I ended up in St. Vincents Hospital in Dublin for 5 weeks.

I was put on Iv steroid treatment which was very severe and after two liver biopsies there was no change in my condition.

They then talked about a second transplant if the treatment didn’t work but thank god thinks started to improve slowly and I was discharged.

I then had to make weekly visits to Dublin for bloods & a review.

The bloods are gradually getting better but if they don’t continue to improve I will have to get treatment that is the equivalent of chemo and its sore on the body but thank god I am doing well at the minute.

The expense on family’s in these situations is a lot and after seeing first-hand what it takes I want to do something to raise funds for the Irish Liver Foundation to continue the great work they do.

We are going to do a 5km Fun Run & Walk on Saturday 28th of December 2024 at 11am from the Moville Celtic F.C. clubhouse in Glencrow Eircode F93EW21.

Please come along and take part for this very worthy cause.

What is really needed is a house close to St. Vincents Hospital to accommodate other family’s going through the same situation.

Its not easy being in St. Vincents every Monday morning for an appointment at 9am when you live over 4 hours away.

We are going to start of small with the fun run but if we get traction we may keep pushing on to bigger and better things to help other family’s who are going through the same ordeal.Do you want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money in aid of Irish Liver Foundation and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about The Irish Liver Foundation: The Irish Liver Foundation was set up in 2022 through the Hepatology working group of the HSE National Clinical Programme for Gastroenterology and Hepatology. We are doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, patients, and their families. The Irish Liver Foundation Charity CLG, is registered in Ireland, with a Registered Charity Number (RCN) 20206406