In the past eight years, Valerie Twomey has undergone a quadruple heart bypass and received a new kidney, and she was selected to tell her story at a symposium held in the EU Parliament Buildings in Brussels to mark the launch of World Kidney Day.

Ms Twomey, a Cork-based GP manager, was invited to speak of her experiences in advance of the world day which takes Thursday next, March 13th.

“I spoke at the conference because I am passionate about raising awareness of organ donation. There is a dire shortage of organs here in Ireland, and I would appeal to people to carry organ donor cards at all times. Organs can do so much good here on earth, just as the one I received two years ago has done so much for me,” said Ms Twomey, who lives in Crosshaven, Cork.

“I owe it others in the renal community to talk about my experiences, even though I would not be a natural public speaker. I also owe it to the person whose kidney I now carry around, and their family. If I didn’t get that, my health would have deteriorated, and ultimately renal failure have killed me.”
Valerie had been diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 13 and had lived with the condition for almost 25 years. Medical tests showed that she needed to go on dialysis, and, in preparation, a quadruple bypass was needed to remove four blockages near her heart.

“I remember the day I got the call saying there was a kidney for me. It was such a gift for me, and it is crucial that people realise that by carrying an organ donor card, they might one day give a similar gift to someone else in need,” she said.

At the symposium, Valerie outlined the motto she follows at all times: “You are the key member of your own heathcare team”

She added: “My advice to people who are going through, or facing into, kidney transplantation is to remain positive, because a positive attitude is the most important thing of all. I got the gift of a new kidney in summer of 2006, and I went into it trying to make every day a better day,” she explained.

“You are the key member of your own healthcare team. You have to adhere exactly to what the dieticians and nephrologists are saying, and if you notice anything at all bothering you, you should contact them straightaway. The closer you follow your treatment, the better results you will have.

“I was amazed at the courage and determination I found within myself to get through it so well.”

The Irish Kidney Association together with the Irish Nephrology Society are undertaking a Know Your Kidney’campaign to inform the public about the incidence of kidney disease, and to encourage them to take a simple blood test to determine how well their kidneys are working.

The initiative will include a random sample involving education and screening of up to 1000 people who will have their blood pressure taken, weight and age recorded, along with a simple finger-prick test which will determine their level of kidney function. The results will be included anonymously in a statistical analysis of all tests undertaken.

For more information visit websites  www.ika.ie (Irish Kidney Association), website www.nephrology.ie (Irish Nephrology Society) and www.worldkidneyday.org