Leaving cert student and kidney transplant recipient from Carlow town raises awareness of organ donation

EIGHTEEN-year-old kidney transplant recipient Amber O’Rourke from Browneshill Road, Carlow, who is currently preparing for her Leaving Certificate exams, is a passionate advocate for the Irish Kidney Association and organ donation for transplantation.

Amber received a kidney from her mother Elaine’s friend, Anne Marie Byrne from Graiguecullen, who secretly underwent testing to see if she was a suitable match before donating a kidney to Amber. Tragically, Anne Marie’s nephew passed away three years ago while waiting for a heart transplant.

Amber was just five years old when she suffered a stroke and spent months in hospital and rehabilitation in Dublin, far from home. Showing incredible determination, she learned to walk again and later underwent nightly 12-hour dialysis treatment until receiving her life-changing kidney transplant in August 2017.

While volunteering with the Irish Kidney Association Carlow branch at an information stand during the Irish Pharmacy Union Conference at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Tullow, recently Amber shared information on organ donation and the Irish Kidney Association with delegates.

Amber also spent time speaking with Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill ahead of Organ Donor Awareness Week 2026 which ends this Friday, 23 May about her transplant journey and volunteering work.

Organ Donor Awareness Week 2026 (16-23 May) runs with the powerful national call to action: “Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones in Doubt – Share Your Wishes About Organ Donation.” Organised by the Irish Kidney Association with support from the HSE’s Organ Donation Transplant Ireland office, the campaign highlights the life-changing impact of organ donation for transplantation and the important role families play in ensuring a loved one’s wishes are honoured.

There are currently over 650 people on transplant waiting lists in Ireland for organs including heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas transplants, with more than 500 people alone waiting for a kidney transplant. The campaign encourages people to have an important conversation with their loved ones about organ donation.

People can request an organ donor card including the digital donor card which can be stored in your mobile phone wallet through the Irish Kidney Association website www.ika.ie . You can also choose to support organ donation by ticking the “Yes” box when applying for or renewing your driving licence, represented by code 115 on your driver’s licence.

For more information or to request an organ donor card (including in digital format), visit www.ika.ie/donorweek