The photo above shows Andy and his wife Sandra.

In 2001 their lives changed in a way that up untl then, they could only dream and pray for.

Andy Dunne was born with (what is still) a rare condition known as PRUNE BELLY SYNDROME. Explained in detail here. One of the many effects from this is that the Bladder loses its ability to function properly. This causes urine to travel back up to the Kidneys. This is known as Kidney Re-flux. The first few years of Andy's life saw him undergo no less than thirteen major surgeries. At age four his then Urologist, Prof. Denis O'Sullivan decided that the only way to save Andy's life would be to replace his bladder with a urostomy. This is an external pouch that acts as a type of artificial bladder. Even at this stage, Andy's kidneys were extremely damaged and his future was uncertain.

Above: Andy with some fellow PBS'rs. Cape Cod 2002

In the years following, Kidney infections became a regular occurrence and his kidneys became more damaged. At age 28 (1996) Andy was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Failure and was put on a Renal Diet. The aim of this was to take pressure away from the kidneys by controlling the amount of toxins the body was taking in. This worked for a few years but Dialysis was inevitable. Doctors recommendd hemodialysis. Explained in detail here.

This was Andys life line for just under three years but during this time he developed various complications such as vein damage (Thrombosis) and eventually "septicemia". A Kidney Transplant would now be Andy's only change of survival.

Through all of this, the only thing keeping Andy's spirits going was his wife Sandra. She was there twenty-four-seven making sure he stuck to the diet and took his meds etc. Every ache and pain was felt as much by Sandra as it was by Andy. She was a constant friend as well as companion.

Having been on the Transplant Pool for only seven weeks Andy & Sandra got the phone call they really didn't ever think they'd recieve. Beaumont Hospital in Dublin was where Andy was Transplanted and within a few weeks was back home. It's now seven years on and their life since Andy's transplant has been unbelievable.

ANDY - " Not a day goes by that Sandra and myself don't think about the gift of a second chance at life that I have recieved. We are always aware that someone had to die in order for me to stay alive. Although we will never know any details about them or their family, we are forever truely greatful".

Morning Birds

It’s hard to put my thoughts to words
For words could not portray
The admiration and gratitude I hold
For You and Yours today
Your act of pure selflessness
Has erased from my mind
The constant fear of searching
Only to never find.

A gift of life stands well apart
From any we may receive
But giving life has unimaginable rewards
When given in your grief.

My second chance, I pray will be
A journey, fair and true.
For your gift enables me to do
So much I thought I’d never do
And also now, direction lives
Within my heart and mind
To be half, in life, the person you were
Leaving this world behind.

You’ve given me your Morning Birds
They’ll sing only for you
And when your moon at night appears
It’s then I’ll talk to you
In summer when I stroll the shore
With my love by my side
A stone I’ll throw, to the ocean waves
And think of you with pride.

- ANDY DUNNE 2001

REQUEST A DONOR CARD ONLINE

email: donor@ika.ie

freetext DONOR to 50050

lo call 1890 543639

By post to: Freepost, Donor House, Irish Kidney Association, Park West, Dublin 12

 

• The links page has details of various sites relating to Organ Donation and Transplantation.
• Over the next year or so Andy will be putting various projects together in order to promote and fund-raise for donor awareness campaigns.