Kay, Sharon and Jim have attended the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust’s Volunteer Recognition Event, held at Riddel Hall, Queen’s University, Belfast.  It is an annual opportunity, during Volunteer Week, to give thanks, and to demonstrate the variety of volunteering happening within the Trust, who are celebrating 50 years of continuous volunteering in 2026

“Yes her name is Jomol but we call her Jo, she is getting married on the 5th of July back home in India”.

The above quote is from one of the other esteemed members of the fantastic nursing staff in Ward 6D; The Regional Liver Unit. Jo is indeed a beautiful and kind girl who looks after patients with such compassion and care. She forms part of a solid team whose hearts are just full of compassion and care!. On behalf of the Liver Support Group and indeed the many patients with whom we interface we wish Jo health and happiness as she embarks upon a new and exciting chapter in her life.

Mind you, to the hubby to be, we want her back here!!

Our Vice Chair Sharon Millen was honoured to attend the North/South Organ Donation Event at the Circle of Life Garden, Galway on Saturday 23rd May, at the invitation of organisers Denis and Martina Goggin from the Strange Boat Donor Foundation.
This very special event brought together, for the first time, organ donor families, transplant recipients, healthcare professionals and organ donation representatives from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to promote organ donation on an all-island basis.
A key moment of the day was the unveiling of a heritage stone from sixth century Bangor Abbey, gifted by the Northern Ireland organ donation and transplant community to their counterparts in the South. The stone was unveiled by President Catherine Connolly alongside Dáithí MacGabhann.
The event was a powerful reminder of the incredible generosity of organ donors and their families, whose selfless decisions continue to save and transform lives. It also celebrated the growing friendship, collaboration and shared commitment to organ donation across the island of Ireland.
Thank you to Denis, Martina and all involved for creating such a meaningful and memorable day.

Committee members Kay, Sharon and Sandra met up with members in Derry/Londonderry for another successful walk & talk event on Sunday May 10. And what a beautiful day to get those steps in!!

Keep a look out for our next stroll out .

Belfast City Marathon took place on May 3 and, as always, was well attended. We had 55 entries for the marathon and relay this year. Unfortunately, there was no walk but it is hoped that it will resume in 2027.
This is the first year that we had our very own meeting point for after the event. Participants and their family members met up with us at the end where we provided them with hot teas and coffees was well as tray bakes and other goodies. This will be a permanent fixture for us at all future marathons and possibly at other events where appropriate.
We have opposite a collage of pictures where we have tried to capture the fantastic mood of the event. Feel free to have a look!

Our next walk & talk will take place on Sunday May 10 at the Derry/Londonderry Peace Bridge. We will be gathering there around 11 am to start our walk.

Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you there.

We were delighted to welcome Paul McKie (Liver Social Worker) and Racquel Beckford (Liver Transplant Coordinator) from King’s College Hospital, to speak to us at our Spring Members’ Meeting on Thursday night.  A large number of patients and their families travelled to the Mount Business Centre, Belfast, for a most informative presentation on both of their roles, how they and the King’s team interact with patients, and the facilities open to them, when they travel to King’s for assessment or transplant.  The Q&A afterwards was also very enlightening.

On Friday morning Paul and Racquel visited the Liver Unit in the Royal to meet up with old friends and to meet newer staff who they communicate with online when caring for our NI-based patients.  Our thanks go to both of them for giving of their time away from King’s, and we look forward to seeing them again soon.

We all know how good and generous all of the staff are in Ward 6D. They work tirelessly and diligently each day and night with compassion and dignity in supporting all of our liver patients who happen to be in their care. We wanted to further recognise their great work in some small way so we decided to buy a warm fleece for each of them. I hope you agree, looking good and well deserved!!