A decision you make this week could save the life of someone who is suffering from a life-threatening illness.

As Organ Donor Awareness week is upon us, the Irish Kidney Association is once again asking people to discuss with their loved ones the issue of organ donation and to make their wishes clear in the event of an untimely death.

Deciding to carry an organ donor card is one of the easiest decisions you can make. However, more important is discussing the issue with your family, as in Ireland the next of kin must decide if an organ or organs may be taken for transplantation, regardless of whether the deceased carries an organ donor card or not.

For those who are having difficulty with the idea of donating their organs or would have difficulty deciding to donate the organs of a loved one in the event of an untimely death, reading the stories that almost bookend our paper this week should prove enlightening. If anything, the donor's family's story on the one hand and the transplantee's story on the other, will serve to stir the debate on organ donation and make us re-examine our stance on the issue at this time.

According to the Irish Kidney Association, last year was a mixed year for organ transplants. The number of deceased donors in 2007, at 88, was down by three on 2006, however it was an above average year. In total, 214 people received organ transplants, of which seven had two organs transplanted at the same time. There were 141 deceased donor kidney transplants, 59 liver, seven heart and four lung transplants. Five pancreases were transplanted simultaneously with a kidney transplant and two liver transplants were conducted simultaneously with a kidney transplant. Five extra kidney transplants were conducted via living donors, making an overall total of 146 kidney transplant in Ireland in 2007, the same amount as in 2006.

However, there are currently 600 people in Ireland in various transplant waiting pools and demand for organ transplants continues to increase year on year.

Organ Donor Awareness Week is a life saving awareness campaign. We should use the opportunity to discuss with our loved ones our wishes if we should pass away.

Information fact files, which accompany organ donor cards can be obtained free of charge from the Irish Kidney Association and are available nationwide from pharmacies, GP surgeries and Citizen Information Offices. Organ Donor Cards can be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association on 1890 543639 or free-texting the word Donor to 50050.

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