A ten year-old boy in need of a urgent kidney transplant has appealed to people to become organ donors.
Matthew Doherty, 10, from Castlefin has been on a waiting list for a new kidney for five years, and has become increasingly frustrated at the delays in finding a suitable donor.
Due to an extremely rare condition, he is unable to receive a kidney transplant from a living person, and needs a donor from someone who has passed away.
Matthew was 10 months when he was admitted to Letterkenny General on 19th December 2006.
He had contracted E-Coli and has a disease called HUS (Hemolytic-uremic syndrome).
Little Matthew exudes bravery and in an emotional and honest interview with Donegal Daily, he appealed to people to become donors.
The little Castlefin lad has had a number of challenges since he was a baby, but his positive attitude towards those setbacks was uplifting, and he spoke passionately about people becoming donors.
He explained how he can no longer play football with his friends, as he needs to be as healthy as he can be to remain on the list.
If he even has a slight temperature he is temporarily removed from the waiting list.
Matthew told Donegal Daily, “I can’t play football anymore because I can’t risk becoming sick, in case I get called for a kidney transplant.
“I get frustrated at the other boys being stronger and faster than me, but I love playing football, but unfortunately I can’t play it anymore, because I need to stay healthy.”
The now ten year-old developed an abscess where he’s dialysis lines were in June 2014, and had to come off dialysis for a few weeks.
The doctors have been able to control his kidney disease with medications since and he has been off dialysis.
Matthew explained that now means he doesn’t have to go to Dublin every second Thursday for treatment.
“I can now receive the treatment in Letterkenny which is great, it means I can go to school, and it’s great I don’t have to make such long journeys.
“Everybody at my school has been great to me, and my teachers have been brilliant.
“I get very tired and sometimes lose concentration easily because of my treatment, but they have been very good to me and don’t get cross.”
Matthew has been waiting patiently for a transplant for five years, and his mother Louise revealed they have a bag packed, so that when the call comes ‘they’re ready to go’.
Louise said, “We’ve had that bag packed for a number of years now, we’ve obviously had to unpack and put different clothes in it as the years pass, but it sits in the corner as we patiently await the call for Matthew to receive his transplant.
“It’s been five years which has been tough on us all, and especially Matthew, but hopefully that call comes soon.”
Matthew is full of fun and mischief, he’s a very clever and bright boy and doesn’t look like a child who is in ‘End Stage Renal Failure’ awaiting a Kidney Transplant.
He talked about his love for Barcelona and his favourite player is Luiz Suarez, while Michael Murphy and Frank McGlynn are his GAA heroes.
His attitude was amazing, and he was genuinely an inspiring young man to meet.
However, he issued a passionate appeal to people to become donors so that they can give life to others after they die.
Matthew said, “I think it’s important that people talk to their families about organ donation.
“I know it’s tough for families when they lose people suddenly or in tragic circumstances, but if they’re organ donors they that could save somebody’s live.”
He jokingly added, “Sure it’s no good to them in the ground.”
We laughed, but the harsh reality of what he was saying stuck a chord, and Matthew desperately needs a kidney transplant, and five years, is far, far too long to be waiting.
He wants to lead a full and normal live like his other friends, and doing simple things like going to training with his friends shouldn’t be such an obstacle.
He concluded as positive as had been throughout the interview by saying, “The doctors have told me time after time that if I don’t get it this year, I’ll definitely get one next year.
“They’ve said the same thing again this year, so I hope their promise comes true.
“Five years is too long, but I’m hopeful the call will come, and if it does I’ll hopefully be fit and healthy.”
Matthew has told his brave story, and he hopes he has raised awareness to encourage people to become organ donors today.
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