Some 250 organ transplants took place in 2022, including 163 kidney transplants and 18 lung transplants.

According to a report from the HSE’s Organ Donation Transplant Ireland Office (ODTI), this was possible due to the selflessness of 119 donors. While 33 of these were living, donating kidneys, 86 were deceased.

Commenting on the figures, Dr Catherine Motherway, clinical lead of ODTI, acknowledged the profound impact that organ donation has on both recipients and donor families and paid tribute to all donors.

“It is sometimes hard to convey how much we appreciate their gift. Behind each figure in this report are lives transformed by a transplant by virtue of the enormous generosity of families who, in the most difficult circumstances, honour their loved ones wishes by choosing to donate their organs.

“Each and every time we are humbled by the courage shown by our donor families. This time of year we remember those we have lost. We hope that our donor families may find comfort and some consolation in knowing that their gift has saved and changed the lives of others,” she said.

Transplant recipient, Patrick Eustace, received a life-changing kidney transplant 25 years ago as a child from an unknown donor.

“I’ve been incredibly lucky and am extremely grateful that it has allowed me to live a totally normal life since. My thoughts are always with the donor family who made such an altruistic decision in what must have been a very dark space for them.

“I would suggest that people have a conversation with their next of kin to ensure their immediate family are aware of their intentions regarding organ donation. It may seem like a difficult topic to broach with loved ones but it can give reassurance to their family members in the event of their untimely passing,” he said.

The various transplants that took place in 2022 were:

-Kidney – 163

-Liver – 51

-Lung – 18

-Heart – 10

-Pancreas – 8.

For more information on organ donation, click here.