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| Artwork in SWAH Fermanagh |
I feel so privileged to have been involved in creating 2 large public artworks one for Altnagelvin Hospital and one for South West Acute Hospital in Fermanagh
I feel very privileged to have been involved in this project and I hope that the completed memorial serves as a fitting reflective celebration of the tremendous and highly emotive gift of life and hope for organ donors, tissue donors and their families
THE parents of Oisin McGrath, the 13-year old St Michael’s College student, from Belcoo, who died as a result of a playground incident in the school in February this year have thrown their weight behind organ donation.
Nigel and Sharon McGrath donated their son’s heart to save the life of a little girl.This week is National Transplant Awareness Week and, yesterday, the McGraths were representedat the unveiling of artwork in the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen to publicly acknowledge organ donors.Asked beforehand if it had been a difficult decision to donate Oisin’s heart, his father told the Herald it wasn’t.“We just know at the time what Oisin would have wanted. You have to make these decisions at the time and you have to deal with it at that stage. In our case, we knew that this is what Oisin wanted, and that was the key behind our decision.”Mr McGrath said it was ‘poignant’ that National Transplant Awareness Week (7-13) should fall within days of Oisin’s 14th birthday.The ‘Gifting Life, Giving Hope’ artwork was commissioned by the Western Trust Organ Donation Committee.It is designed to inspire people to register as organ donors and also act as a tribute to those who have donated an organ to provide the gift of life to another person.The unveiling event was organised by the Western Health and Social Services Trust.Its chairman,
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| detail from Altnagelvin piece |
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| Artwork in Altnagelvin |
Gerard McGuckian, said there was no gift that any human can bestow on another greater than the gift of life.Dr Declan Grace, the Trust’s lead clinician for organ donation hoped people will pause at the artwork and remember ‘the wonderful contribution of individuals and their families who, at a time of great loss and suffering, commit to saving the lives of others through organ donation’.He added: “We want to encourage people to consider and discuss organ donation. If you want your organs to be available for donation it is important that you indicate your wishes with the people closest to you.“One donor can save the lives of several people and improve the quality of life for many more. The more people pledge to donate their organs and tissue after their death, the more people stand to benefit.”
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