Arthur Goan, Author at RVH Liver Support Group

Tullylagan Fundraiser

Unidentified spooky fundraisers at Braeside Bar

Members of the Tullylagan Vintage Owners Association and friends met for a Hallowe’en party at the Braeside Inn in Orritor, near Cookstown, on Saturday 25^th October.

As it was Hallowe’en, many of them came dressed as ghosts, ghouls and monsters – some even scarier than the couple pictured here!

RVH Liver Support Group is the Tullylagan Vintage Owners chosen charity of the year. This was the first of several fundraising events they will be holding between now and the summer of 2015.

With an auction and a ballot, some £1, 500 was raised on the night.

Thanks go to Robert Beggs, Gary Wilson and other members of the Association who worked so hard to set things up. We look forward to regular contact with Tullylagan during the coming year.

Tullylagan FundraiserArthur Goan2020-08-04T11:17:48+01:00

Signing up to save a life

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 25^th 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. ;

Signing up to save a lifeArthur Goan2020-08-04T11:17:48+01:00

Cherril’s story

DO I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

(Cherril Blair from Ballymoney recalls the joy piecing her life back together again, following her transplant in the Spring)

May I begin by expressing my gratitude to everyone in the three hospitals where I was treated – the Royal, where I was nursed, informed and prepared for what lay ahead by a tremendous team; King’s College Hospital where my surgery was carried out and the Causeway in Coleraine where my visits became longer and more frequent from 2011 onwards. I have met so many wonderful people but each seemed to know everything about me – even my love of porridge.

I was placed on the transplant list in March 2013 and gritted my teeth for a long wait – perhaps two years or more. Despite increasingly frequent bouts of encephalopathy and ascites, I thought I was doing O.K., until after one year I deteriorated suddenly and was admitted to the Royal, feeling pretty low and with failing recognition of my situation. Four weeks later I was transferred to King’s where I received my liver transplant in early March.

Coming round, I knew I had a liver for I could see John clearly for the first time in weeks- and he was grinning. So was I. From that morning I gave thanks to the family who had thought of others in their time of grief and that has been my waking thought every morning since. Despite the drains and tubes, I was in a state of euphoria. There were blips but I could not take them under my notice. When I recall my response to enquiries from medical staff, family and friends, I can only remember how my life had been saved and how dismissive I felt of their problems. I was so well supported I flew through the next weeks and was soon back in the Royal for recovery.

As I lay in a quiet room, gathering strength, I had the first hints of further incredible experiences ahead. Memories of my former life washed over me like a tide. I would wake up chanting the phone numbers of friends – in particular my friend from school days whom I had not been able to visit for four years and whom I had not been able to phone for at least two. John took down the numbers and soon I was in contact with Olive. Beth, my support for three years, was able to visit. From cousin Doreen I caught up on family news. As soon as I could operate my mobile, I set about phoning friends. I could not stop talking. My grown sons, who had visited me constantly, chortled as I began to take an active motherly interest in their lives again. When I caught myself commenting on their hairstyles – they are in their mid-thirties – I stopped and bit my tongue.

The tide became a tidal wave as more questions occurred. I had to be reminded of friends who had passed away. I wrote to bereaved families whom I had been unable to visit. Thankfully John made sure the letters were suitable. I was reminded of family events, the birth of children, the lives of nieces and nephews, my brother and sister and their families. My most welcome update was on the development of my four lovely grandchildren and the details of my two year old youngest grandson, with whom I could not wait to engage. Hearing about the grandchildren was the pleasure of my life. Would they remember me after three months? They did. My two lovely daughters-in-law were constantly in touch. They had coped with young families alone to allow my sons to visit me. I began to appreciate how much my illness had affected my loved ones and how much I had to catch up on.

Many of the medical staff remarked on my personality change. ‘But this is me,’ I kept saying. I was dependent on their approval and kept checking that I was doing the right thing for my liver. Having been advised to feed my liver and not eat the small amounts I allowed myself as a person with diabetes, I gloried in steam pudding and custard. Thank-you, Pat.

I was discharged home and the tidal wave became as tsunami as I took up the reins of my life again. I visited my mother frequently, catching up on her life as well. After three months’ isolation, my discharge led to a stream of visitors. I was in heaven. In three months I could drive and John and I could have some personal time. We became used to doing everything together, even my visits to the hairdressers.

With plenty of time to think, I appreciate every day the expertise and kindness which have saved my life and developed me as a person. Do I believe in miracles? Yes.

Cherril’s storyArthur Goan2020-08-04T11:17:48+01:00

Sheerin Fundraiser presentation

Fantastic fundraiser in Roadhouse Bar in memory of Anna Sheerin

Cheque presentation. L to R Rita Carney, Vinny, Tommy Sheerin, Arlene McManus and Kay Duffy

Tommy Sheerin and his band of volunteer helpers raised the massive toatal of £3100 at a function in the Roadhose Bar on 30 August in memory of Anna Sheerin. It was very well organised and even the organisers themselves were overwhelmed by the generous response from the local community who supported them so well.

The cheque was handed over on Saturday 6 September to Kay Duffy from our group. Tommy Shherin was so complimentary of the support he received from our group and Kay in particular. The photo shows the cheque presentation.

Sheerin Fundraiser presentationArthur Goan2020-08-04T11:17:48+01:00

Enniskillen Fundraiser

Sheerin family raise funds in memory of Anna

Seamus Cunningham with, from left, Danny Sheerin, Tommy Sheerin, Louise Sheerin and Amy Green.

There was a fantastic fundraiser for our group in the Road House bar in Enniskillen on Saturday 30 August in memory of Anna Sheerin. The event was organised by the Sheerin family and their friends in the local area. It was particularly well attended and soon there will be a presentation of the proceeds featured on this site. I had the pleasure of calling with the group before proceedings really got going and spoke to family members and Arlene McManus who was one of the dynamic and enthusiastic organisers.

Enniskillen FundraiserArthur Goan2020-08-04T11:17:48+01:00

Bolton Transplant Games

Transplant GAMES 2014

The British Transplant Games in Bolton from 7^th -10^th August brought plenty of success for liver recipients from Northern Ireland.

Lucia Quinney-Mee’s swimming medals contributed significantly to Birmingham Children’s Hospital winning the children’s team trophy

.

The Belfast Team won the adult team trophy with the help of Catherine Annesley, Seamus Cunningham, Wendy Howe and Sharon Millen.

Philip Cairnduff represented King’s College Hospital and chipped in with 3 medals towards their fine total of 45. While all competed keenly, they contributed to the event in far more important ways than simply by winning medals. Talking to other transplant recipients, donor families, charity representatives and medical professionals gave a sense of perspective on their own experience of illness and sometimes bumpy recovery. And by competing at all, they and hundreds of others from under 5’s to over 70’s showed the people of Bolton, as well as T.V. and radio audiences nationwide, the amazing way in which transplants transform lives.

Most years see the numbers on the Organ Donor Register where the games take place increase dramatically. Let’s hope for the biggest increase yet amongst the people of Bolton and Greater Manchester.

Bolton Transplant GamesArthur Goan2020-08-04T11:17:48+01:00

CLDF back in Belfast

Just over a year after The Children’s Liver Disease Foundation made their first visit to Belfast, they are on their way back.

Last September a record number of children and family members went 10-pin bowling at the Odyssey Arena. This year CLDF have booked Streetwise Circus to present a programme of circus skills. It should be a very lively and entertaining few hours for everyone who comes along.

This all takes place on Saturday 1^st November – from 11. 30 a.m. to 2. 30 p.m. – at the Morton Community Centre in Belfast (off the Lisburn Road)

As last year, CLDF staff will be available to chat to parents and children about how they are coping.

RVH LSG are delighted to be helping with the preparation and delivery of the event. More details will be posted as the weeks go by.

In the meantime – if a child in your family has been in any way affected by liver disease, please put the date in your diary.

CLDF back in BelfastArthur Goan2020-08-04T11:17:48+01:00

Thoughts on Organ Donation by pupils from Bangor Academy

Bangor Academy Crest

On 6 March an assembly on organ donation was held for 3^rd Year pupils of Bangor Academy. Roughly 200 pupils heard stories from people who knew from experience what organ donation entailed – as carers, recipients or donors.

I told the story of my son’s life-saving transplant following acute liver failure.

Ruth and Ronnie White, respectively a kidney recipient and kidney donor, talked about their part in the U.K.’s first series of synchronised kidney transplants that involved 3 donors.

And Mary Sweeney talked about her decision to donate her son’s organs following his death in a car crash.

We were made very welcome in the school, as always (it was our third visit). The pupils could not have been more receptive. Below are reflections from a few of them on the stories they heard.

Today we went to an assembly about organ donors. There was a man who talked about his son being very ill and he had to go on several planes to get to a decent hospital. His son had to put on a cap to cover his pale face so that the woman at the airport would let him board the plane. He made it to the hospital and got the transplant that he needed. He lived!

The other story was quite sad. A mother told us about her son. He had been out in his car and was involved in an accident. He was rushed to hospital and passed away shortly afterwards. Her children had to go for counselling and she and her husband were very upset.

Her son’s organs got donated to people in need and they lived. The woman said she was happy he was an organ donor because in a way he lives on. I can’t imagine losing a close family member. The pain would be so hard.

I asked my mum about becoming an organ donor. She said it was a good thing but she didn’t really like the idea of organs being taken out of her children when they have died. My dad wants to be an organ donor because he thinks it is a great idea and so do I.

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We went to a special assembly about organ transplants. Two men and two women came in and talked to us about how organ transplants had saved their own lives, a family member’s life or the lives of people they don’t know.

One of the women talked about how she needed a kidney transplant. She explained to us that the doctor came into the ward and said to her that there was a patient in England who needed a kidney. The test showed that the kidney was the same type as her husband’s. So her husband’s kidney went to this person and another kidney from England went to her. It saved her life.

There was another man who talked to us about his son and him going to Africa. The son fell ill and didn’t feel well on the day they were due home. They managed to get him onto the plane by pushing a baseball cap over his face. When they got home he was rushed straight to hospital. Later they found out that he needed a liver transplant. He got a transplant the next day and is now doing well.

A woman told us a story about her son. Shortly after he had celebrated his 18^th Birthday, he was involved in a serious car accident in Portavogie. The road was slightly slippery that morning and he just lost control. The lady’s husband was diverted past the accident but he didn’t notice that it was His son’s car. One of his mates phoned his mum and 999 for help. Her son died instantly because of the impact of the car hitting the wall. He was an organ donor and his mum still believes that part of her son is still living today.

They were very powerful and emotional stories of how becoming an organ donor could save someone’s life. After listening to them, I would consider becoming an organ donor.

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An impressive view of the school

Last Thursday when people came in to talk to us about organ transplants, it was very emotional because they were talking about people they knew who had an organ transplant that saved their lives.

There was one woman who lost her son in a car crash and he donated his organs and saved 5 people’s lives. She said you never get over the death but you learn to live with it and it is a bit easier knowing her son donated his organs and saved other people’s lives.

It shows how much you take for granted and how quickly you can lose it. When I came out of school that day, I told my family I wanted to be an organ donor.

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Thoughts on Organ Donation by pupils from Bangor AcademyArthur Goan2020-08-04T11:17:48+01:00

Statistics from LYL Roadshow

Final figures from Love Your Liver roadshow on May 20th:

Dr McDougal explains the Fibroscanner to Minister Poots

• Screened (using online health check on laptops): 112 people
• Scanned by FibroScan: 60 people
• Referred for LFTs or further action: 37 people (33%)

Thanks again to everyone who helped set up this very successful health promotion day!

Statistics from LYL RoadshowArthur Goan2020-08-04T11:17:48+01:00

Recent cheque presentations

The 2K Family Walk

Every year Gareth Hunter’s in-laws, the Walsh family, do a sponsored walk for charity.

A well- earned rest after 14 miles in the mountains

This year they were joined by Gareth’s father and sister. A total of 25 brave souls walked for 4 hours, approx 14 miles, in the Cooley Mountains. At 77 years of age, Gareth’s father Bob led from the front for most of the way – until he took a wrong turn, and found himself 2 miles off route !

£ 2,000 was raised for the work of the RVH Liver Support Group.

The cheque was handed over on the morning of 20^th May, at the Love Your Liver Campaign in Castlecourt, to LSG chair Donald Cairnduff.

Huge thanks go to everyone involved for the strenuous fundraising and the strenuous hiking that went into gathering this magnificent total.

The photo on the left shows the cheque handover. From left is Bob, Gareth and Donald receiving the cheque on behalf of the RVH Liver Support Group.

Joyce Britt presents her cheque to the treasurer Tom McCready

Michael and Joyce Britt have been long standing supporters of our group and the picture on the left shows our treasurer Tom McCready reciving a cheque from Joyce at the AGM

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Recent cheque presentationsArthur Goan2020-08-04T11:17:48+01:00

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