Galway mum makes it home for Christmas after kidney transplant

A Galway woman given the gift of a new life by an organ donor is now doing her bit to ensure that others get that same second chance – as she celebrates her first Christmas with her new kidney.

Martina Guyett – originally Martina Quinn from Claregalway but now living in Rochfordbridge in Westmeath – had a different sort of drama during Covid when she was called for her life-changing transplant in the middle of the night.

The mother of two, who is now 51, has been suffering from a hereditary kidney condition, known as PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) since she was just thirteen.

But all of that is history now – and she has just celebrated this Christmas at home, with the present of a new lease of life.

Remarkably, Martina is the fourth member of her Galway family to receive an organ transplants due to this hereditary condition, after her mother, brother and uncle; indeed her mother had two kidney transplants during her lifetime.

“My late mother’s illness did not develop until she approached her fifties, just like me. She had two transplants and passed away at the age of 66 from cancer,” she said.

“My late uncle’s condition also didn’t progress until he was middle aged, and he had one transplant. However, my brother was only 28 when he received a kidney transplant, which thankfully is working still,” she added.

And in an effort to help others achieve the same second chance, Martina is fundraising for the Irish Kidney Association – as well as spreading the word as to just what a different a donation can make.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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Organ Donor Cards can be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association on 01 6205306 or Free text the word DONOR to 50050. You can also visit the website www.ika.ie/get-a-donor-card or download a free ‘digital organ donor card’ APP to your phone.