The 19th Annual Remembrance Mass in honour of our Donors and their Families was held in the Mater Hospital church on Sat 12th Feb. 2011 with a reception afterwards in the Mater Hospital Pillar Room. This year at the mass we again acknowledged members who have reached 15 years transplanted by presenting them with a specially designed sterling silver badge.
This mass is to remember donors and families. It was very well attended by both heart and lungs recipients and their families and friends. Each recipient is given a white carnation for their lapel, which are worn with pride.
They came from all parts of the country, including a contingent from the Northern Ireland Transplant Association, headed by David (heart recipient) and Beverley Robinson. The mass was celebrated by the Chaplain of the Mater hospital and also attended by the Church of Ireland Chaplain of the Mater. This year we had a representative of a donor family who requested to do a reading at the mass.
Also attending were many nursing staff and surgeons from the transplant team, transplant co-ordinators and physiotherapists
and most of the medical staff who maintain patients until their operation, and specialised nursing staff who give that individual care which is so important in the days post op
During the ceremony each recipient carried a lighted candle to the altar to honor the memory of their donor and in thanks for the huge gift that has been bestowed on each and every one of them, and to the skill and dedication of the medical staff.
Two larger candles are lit in memory of the deceased members of the association. This was a very emotional and moving sight as all present remember the journey which brought everyone together on this day and the tears that were shed both in fear and later in joy. A special group they are, for they are the lucky ones, given a second chance to resume life and enjoy precious time with their families, and each day they remember this and are very grateful. Afterwards there was a reception in the Pillar room, with plenty to eat including coffee and tea.
It is a chance to see old friends to have a chat and to meet new friends. The longest surviving recipient in Ireland is 25 years transplanted; this is an inspiration to newly transplanted recipients and to the success of the whole Transplant Program of the Mater Hospital.
