Every year the RVH Liver Support Group helps the Northern Ireland Transplant Association promote the Organ Donor Register at University Freshers’ Fairs.
This year was no exception. Committee members Jennifer and Donald Cairnduff helped man the NITA stall at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown on Thursday 25th October. During the day a steady stream of students joined the register, some went away to consider it and others spoke openly and honestly about their reasons for not wanting to join the register.
Pictured are several people who have just signed on to the register – three UUJ students (l-r Amy O’Connor; Niamh McShane; Emma Fallon) and Ciara Lavery. Ciara is keenly aware of how organ donation can be a gift of new and transformed life; her cousin Sean Lavery is recovering well from a liver transplant received earlier this year and planning major fundraising for the RVH Liver Support Group in February 2015.
Jennifer was attending her first Freshers’ Fair. Afterwards she summed up her impressions of the day: ‘The students were very open to talking to us. It was very encouraging to hear that many had already signed on when applying for a driving licence and discussed their wishes with their families. It was also good to have a ready supply of ‘freebies’ to help lure students to our stand!’
A tiring but very rewarding day. ;
