Eighty children have received new kidneys at Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin over the last 10 years.

The hospital is home to the National Paediatric Renal Transplant and Haemodialysis Unit, which was established in 2003. Since then, 80 children have had kidney transplants, with 22 of these kidneys coming from living donors and 58 coming from deceased donors.

"Since our service started in 2003, we have seen a 35% increase in the number of live related donors, where the child receives a kidney from a parent or close relative. By increasing rates of live related donation, we can reduce the amount of time children are on dialysis, schedule their surgery to ensure they are in optimum condition for their transplant operation and avoid a potential wait for a suitable deceased donor kidney to become available," explained Dr Atif Awan, a consultant nephrologist at the hospital.

He said that the team in the unit ‘continues to work to get as many children whose kidneys have failed, or who were born without normal kidney function, off dialysis as quickly as possible'.

"We currently have 20 children waiting for a new kidney. We work in close partnership with the National Renal Transplant Team based in Beaumont and are very grateful for all their efforts on our behalf," Dr Awan said.

He pointed out that kidney transplantation is a ‘much more cost effective solution for the State'.

"Five years of dialysis can cost up to €400,000 per child. A kidney transplant has a once off cost of €30,000 for the first year and about €10,000 per year thereafter," he explained.

Meanwhile, according to senior nephrology nurse at the hospital, Sheila Boyle, 2012 was the unit's busiest year, with 16 transplants taking place.

"The number is increasing because of more live donor transplants and more people carrying donor cards. The informed decision by more and more people to carry donor cards means so much to the lives of our young patients.

"In our experience, when transplantation involves a deceased donor, the transplant plays a hugely positive role in the grieving process for the friends and families of the donor at a distressing time, something we are acutely aware of here in Temple Street. Carrying a donor card is an incredibly positive decision and one that we encourage everyone to consider," she said.

The hospital and the Irish Kidney Association are renewing their appeal for people to carry donor cards. Cards can be obtained in pharmacies or by emailing the IKA at donor@ika.ie, free texting DONOR to 50050 or calling 1890 543 639.