Hi, for those who do not know me my name is Michael Mitchell and thank you for taking the time to visit my page. In 2007 at the age of 15 I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease.Although this was life changing,yet under the brilliant care of Dr Frank Walker and Dr Elizabeth Abernethy I was able to lead a full and enjoyable life for the following 13 years, doing everything I wanted to do. Then in August 2020 the condition could no longer be managed with medication and I had to start dialysis.

Dialysis for me involved heading to the Dialysis Unit twice a week , five hours each time at University Hospital Waterford. It is important for me to acknowledge the care I got from the dialysis unit and the support from family, friends and work while on dialysis.

During this time I was added to the transplant list with also the option of exploring a living donation. My mam went forward to be tested but in the final stages unfortunately this did not work out . After hearing this, my aunt Laurena very generously and selflessly volunteered to be tested and thankfully came back as a match.

On the 31st January 2022 I received a successful living Kidney transplant from my aunt Laurena. This was and everyday continues to be an amazing act of generosity and kindness on the part of Laurena. Under the wonderful care of the transplant team we both made great recoveries.

Now, 18 months on things are working out well.On Sunday, May 28th at 10.30am in the Rathgormack Hiking Centre, I am holding a coffee morning in aid of the Waterford Branch of the Irish Kidney Association and the Dialysis Unit in UWH. This is to highlight the importance of organ donation and to raise much needed funds for the Kidney Association. All donations are greatly appreciated and you are most welcome to join us on the day for a coffee and some refreshments. There will also be a raffle on the day.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

You can give your consent to organ donation by carrying an organ donor card or have your consent noted on your driving licence. Request a donor card by emailing donor@ika.ie; freetext DONOR to 50050; lo call 1890 543639; download the Digital Organ Donor Card App; or by post to Freepost, Donor House, Irish Kidney Association, Park West, Dublin 12