Organ Donor Awareness Week runs from April 23rd until the 30th.

There are currently 600 people waiting for transplants around Ireland.

Speaking to Damien on Déise Today, Ray Halligan from the Waterford branch of the Irish Kidney Association said:

We have a very simple message for people. Have that talk with your family. Become an organ donor.

Damien was also joined by Michael Mitchell from Rathgormack, who had a kidney transplant in January, having received a donation from his aunt, Lorena.

Michael became unwell at aged 15 in 2007, and medics discovered that he had issues with his kidneys.

His condition was managed under Consultant Nephrologist Frank Walker, and he told Damien that for a number of years after that he was able to live his life as usual. However in 2017 he was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, and it was more difficult to treat the co-existing conditions.

In August 2020, Michael's kidneys started to fail and he started dialysis twice a week. He said he was one of the lucky ones who had enough energy to carry out activities during this time.

"I was able to continue my life as best could be. If I was down for dialysis in the morning, that evening I was playing nine holes of golf or swimming in the sea.. but everyone's story is different," he said.

Michael told Damien about what happened after he was put on the waiting list for a transplant.

Have a listen to the chat between Michael, Ray and Damien through the link in this podcast.

And for all Déise Today podcasts, click here.