Two Hearts Beat As One

The Eagers & co outside Dáil Éireann TUES24JAN23

f there’s a family around here who know just how important organ donors can be, it’s Seamus Eager and Aoife Farrell.

Seamus is in his 14th year since his heart transplant, whilst Aoife has gone around twice now, the first donated heart having failed.

So, meeting up with Minister For Health Stephen Donnelly on the steps of the Dáil this week as the Human Tissue Bill passed its second stage was a big deal for both of them.

As it was for others present, including Cavan’s David Crosby, a double lung transplant survivor, and Robert McCutcheon, who underwent a heart transplant and is currently the chairman of the Irish Heart And Lung Transplant Association.

“This new bill is a real step forward,” says Seamus, “and one that is simply going to save lives. We’re just so happy it’s taken another step towards being on the books.”

The new Human Tissue Bill (covering transplantation, post-mortem, anatomical examination and public display) means people will have an Opt Out option when it comes to the donation of crucial organs. Thus, everyone will automatically be deemed a donor unless they request otherwise.

To this end, Aoife is calling on people to become donors, and to “have a conversation with your nearest and dearest to make your wishes known“. For Robert McCutcheon, the passing of this 2nd stage for the bill was “a wonderful day for organ donation”, adding that it “gives great hope to people on the transplant waiting list.”

You can find out more about the Human Tissue Bill right here.

Topline pic front row: Seamus Eager, Minister Stephen Donnelly, Aoife Farrell, David Crosby. Back row: Irene Byrne, Robert McCutcheon, Elizabeth Eager, Katie Crosby.