Three Laois locals recently took part in a national remembrance service to honour and remember those who have donated their organs.

On Saturday September 27, the Irish Kidney Association hosted its 40th Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving, drawing a congregation of approximately 1,500 people from across Ireland and overseas to the Church of the Holy Child, Whitehall, Dublin. 

Three members of this congregation were Laois locals Gillian Curtis from Portlaoise, and Nicole and Kieran Walsh from Portarlington.

The unique and poignant event honoured deceased organ donors and their families, while celebrating the renewed lives of transplant recipients.

Gillian Curtis is a heart transplant recipient living in Portlaoise with her husband Nigel (and native of Athy) who took part in a procession.

Pictured: Gillian Curtis, Portlaoise

Ms Curtis's diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in 2004 occurred at the same time as the tragic death of her 18 year old younger brother Martin from sudden adult death syndrome. After two false calls for a heart transplant, Gillian’s gift of life came in the summer of 2019 when she was 39 years old, her life was saved by on organ donor.

"I was in hospital for a routine procedure when it was discovered I had an enlarged heart," Ms Curtis previously told the Leinster Express  / Laois Live.

"I was kept in for further investigations. While this was happening my brother Martin passed away from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. He was away at college at the time. He was only 18 years old and the best brother anyone could of asked for. This devastated our family," she said.

"I was allowed out for his funeral but had to return where I was fitted with an ICD (implanted cardiac defibrillator). I was diagnosed with hyper trophic cardiomyopathy," Ms Curtis shared.

"I had two false calls before receiving my transplant on the third. My recovery was slow as I had to learn how to walk again and build myself up but the relief and emotions cannot be explained in words. So happy and relieved but also very emotional for my donor and my donor's family.

Pictured: Gillian Curtis, Portlaoise attends the IKA's 40th Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving

"I feel great now. I enjoy walking, tennis and spending time with my loved ones, especially my two nephews. Covid has held me back a little but I look forward to getting back to work in a wonderful school where I work as an Special Needs Assistant," Ms Curtis said.

"I owe it to my donor's family to live the best life I can and to my brother who didn’t get the chance that I was given."

Newlywed Nicole Walsh (nee Grier), a native of Mayo, and now living in Portarlington with her husband Kieran, read the first prayer of thanksgiving at the Service.

Nicole’s together with her sister and father made the selfless decision to donate her mother Martina’s organs when she passed away following a brain aneurysm in 2012.

Pictured: Kieran and Nicole Walsh (née Grier) at the remembrance service

Now in its 40th year, the Service has become a deeply meaningful annual gathering for donor families and organ transplant recipients, many of whom attend every year to reflect, remember, and give thanks.

This inclusive ceremony brought together celebrants from various faith traditions and non-religious worldviews, each united in their support for organ donation as the ultimate act of humanity. During the moving ceremony there were spontaneous rounds of applause at different times.

The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, patron to the Irish Kidney Association, wrote a letter of support.

This was read aloud at the Service by Colin White, husband of a dialysis patient and National Advocacy & Projects Manager for the Irish Kidney Association.

“On this 40th anniversary of the Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving, may I extend my support and thanksgiving for the great gift of organ donation, which has transformed and enriched so many lives, allowing new possibilities and new opportunities for recipients and their loved ones,"  the President’s message read.

The eminent retired transplant surgeon David Hickey, and former All Ireland winning Dublin footballer, who performed over 1,500 transplants during his distinguished career, spanning 1986 to 2015, and pioneered pancreas transplantation in Ireland, read a Reflection ‘Who is my Neighbour’ by Brian Patrick.

He also spoke about how in a world of so much darkness, the service demonstrated how a bright light could reemerge.

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