The help desk is now back in 6B in a limited format to start with . Our desk is smaller now as the space is mostly used for patients waiting for their appointment. But we appreciate being given the opportunity again to meet with new and existing liver patients. Either Kay, Jim or Arthur will be in attendance on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 09:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs approx. Please come over and say hello; we will love to have a chat!!
The law on organ donation has now officially changed. Since June 1st, we are all automatically “opted in” for organ donations when we pass away. It is crucially important, however, that you still have that “wee chat” with your next of kin to ensure they understand your wishes if you wish to remain opted in and donate. You can still choose to opt out with organdonation NI should you wish to.
Let us introduce you to Megan, Miss East Belfast!! Megan recently entered for the Miss Northern Ireland competition and has reached the final which takes place on Monday night, May 22nd, in Belfast. In doing all of this she has raised £3686.89 for the RVH Liver Support Group. This is very much appreciated and everyone on the committee wishes her every success on Monday night.
You may have seen an earlier story about James and his great endeavours in support of the Liver Support Group. At the gala dinner James presented Kay Duffy with a cheque for £9020.31, an absolutely stunning amount of money. We would like to thank James and his wonderful family who worked so diligently to make all of this happen.
Pictured at the “Love Your Liver” roadshow with Dr Neil McDougall, liver consultant at the RVH liver unit, members of the British Liver Trust and committee members of the RVH Liver Support Group is Sir Michael McBride, the Chief Medical Officer in Northern Ireland. The British Liver Trust “Lover Your Liver” roadshow visited N Ireland and offered members of the public advice on liver health as well as free fibroscans. This is very important as it serves as a proactive measure to gauge liver health in those who are scanned by this non invasive yet accurate method.
Its been 25 years this year since Kay Duffy OBE founded the Liver Support Group. And to recognise this wonderful achievement the Group held a gala event attended by almost 300 guests which included transplanted patients and their families. Joining Robin Swann, former NI Health Minister, were senior medical staff from Kings London and Birmingham’s Children Hospital as well as our own highly valued liver unit consultants and nursing staff from the Regional Liver Unit at the RVH.
The RVH Liver Support Group was originally founded to offer all kinds of support to any person, young or old, who suffers from any type of liver condition irrespective of cause within N Ireland. And this same level of support is offered today. A committee of eight volunteers provide the Group with all of the requisite qualities to effectively manage the Charity and, within, there are three adult patient carers and two child/adolescent patient carers. These carers offer confidential telephone or face to face support to patients and/or their carers on a daily basis.
(L-R) - Heather Hayes, Carol Hawe, Joan Goudy, Luke Ogonda, Jim Kilpatrick (Chairman), Cllr. Karen Douglas, Patricia Getty (Child & Adolescent Carer), Kirsty Ferris, Ivan Irvine and Mark Armstrong
James McCurdy has recently been transplanted and, as a thank you to the Liver Support Group which celebrates 25 years supporting liver patients this year, he and his loving family decided to organise a number of local events to raise both awareness of the Group and funds to support other liver patients. Indeed without the overarching support of his family he would not have been able to organise so many events.
Already James has organised a fireside quiz which has been completed this week. But, his plans don’t stop there!! As well as this he has organised a number of other events.
>Easter Hamper raffle; more information on purchasing tickets for this can be found here https://tinyurl.com/3ukad4we
> Ballycastle to Ballintoy walk on Sunday March 26th starting at 10.00am at the Moyle Road Spar shop. If you’re free, and would like to join him, I’m sure he’d be delighted with your company. If you can’t do that, why not consider sponsoring him via his Just Giving page instead?
And here is the link to his page Just Giving
>Armoy to Ballycastle Tractor Run on Saturday April 15th starting at 10.30am from Armoy rugby club. More details provided on the poster.
The Committee are indebted to James and his family for organising and running all of these events and we truly appreciate it. All monies raised for the charity are used wholly for the benefit of all of our liver patients throughout N Ireland.
Ryan Caughey on his way to Everest
Ryan at Basecamp Everest with the Liver Support Group
This is Ryan Caughey, father to Dylan who was recently transplanted due to being diagnosed at birth with Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD). This is a rare metabolic condition which causes sufferers to be intolerant of many proteins.
The condition meant many visits to the Royal Victoria Hospital and the condition was so debilitating that Dylan was on a heavily restricted diet for most of his life.
After being put on the transplant list in 2016 he received his new liver in 2019. The transplant was a success and four years after receiving his liver, 19-year-old Dylan hasn’t needed any hospital treatment.
And if that wasn’t great enough news in itself the family learned that Dylan’s liver, which didn’t function for him, was transplanted to another patient.
Ryan wanted to give something back for the care and support that he and his family had received and he decided to do a sponsored trek to Everest Base Camp and that’s exactly what he has achieved. We received this picture of him today (13/03/2023) at Base Camp proudly holding up our banner.
As a charity we would like to thank Ryan so much for his support and for putting us on top of the world.
“Noah’s Ark Parent and Toddlers Group in Kilkeel Presbyterian Church organised a pre-Christmas Craft Fair, in support of local charities. Benefitting this year was the RVH Liver Support Group and the local RNLI team in the town. Liver Support Group Chairman, Jim Kilpatrick, gratefully received a cheque for £675 from Lynda Curran, one of the Toddlers Group committee, and mother of our transplanted member Rachel Chambers. Our thanks go to the Group and the Minister, Rev. Stephen Johnston for their hospitality and generosity.”
