There are around 600 people in Ireland who are waiting for life-saving organ transplants, the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) has said.

The association is gearing up for Organ Donor Awareness Week, which is due to take place from March 29 to April 5. This event raises awareness of the importance of organ donation, but also serves as a fundraiser for the IKA.

According to its figures, while some 600 people are waiting for life-saving operations, over 3,000 people in Ireland are enjoying extended life after undergoing such procedures.

Last year proved a record year for organ transplants in Ireland, with 294 taking place, compared to the previous record of 275 in 2011.

The number of lung transplants in the Mater Hospital in Dublin jumped from 12 in 2012 to 32 last year. In fact, this is higher than the accumulative figure for the four-year period of 2009-2012, when 31 lung transplants took place.

Meanwhile, the living donor kidney transplant programme in Dublin's Beaumont Hospital is also going from strength to strength. Last year, 38 people received kidney transplants thanks to living donors, bringing the total number of living donor kidney transplants to 155 since the service started seven years ago.

"Transplantation is a national team effort. The public are an essential element of the team with their generosity to donate organs. The organ procurement service, the acute hospitals throughout the country and the three transplant teams from St. Vincent's, the Mater and Beaumont Hospitals have all achieved outstanding results in very difficult times for the health services," commented IKA chief executive of the IKA.

Meanwhile, this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the first transplant operation to be carried out in Ireland. In January 1964, a kidney transplant took place in the former Jervis Street Hospital in Dublin.

During Organ Donor Awareness Week, volunteers will be out and about selling ‘forget me not' flower emblems, pens, broaches and shopping trolley discs. All proceeds raised will go towards services for those waiting on kidney transplants and those who have already undergone the operation.

The IKA provides a number of services to people including advice, patient advocacy, financial aid, rehabilitation and the provision of a free accommodation facility for patients and their families at Beaumont Hospital.

TV presenter, Mary Kennedy, who has just been announced as an ambassador for organ donor awareness, described it as a ‘great honor' to be asked to help raise awareness of this important issue.

"The tremendous gift of organ donation touches so many people including the extended family and friends of people who have received life-saving transplants. The legacy of organ donation is unsurpassable," she said.

Organ donor cards can be obtained from the IKA by calling 1890 543 639 or by texting the word DONOR to 50050. Texts are free of charge.

Information on organ donation is also available in pharmacies, GP surgeries and citizen information offices.