Madam, – My heart goes out to Lisa Croke on the loss of her sister, Jane (February 23rd).
Her message was simple, yet profound and deeply touching. We can save lives and improve quality of life by having a good working transplantation system in Ireland. Even though Jane’s transplantation was not a full success, there was genuine appreciation from Jane’s family to the donor families for giving her a chance.
This is what all those people on the waiting lists are asking for, a chance. We have about 600 people waiting for transplants in Ireland; about 80 are performed every year. This is not good enough.
The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland has been campaigning for the establishment of a transplantation authority which would manage and develop the transplantation system. It is long overdue. There are approximately 35 people with cystic fibrosis awaiting transplants. We have had just two heart and lung transplants in the Mater Hospital in the past seven years.
I would endorse Lisa Croke’s plea to the Minister for Health, Mary Harney to give people on the transplantation list a chance by setting the proper management of the transplantation system in motion now. – Yours, etc,