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SOCIAL

MEDIA& Communication

s the festive season draws ever closer and we say our various posts – if you look at the period from the
goodbye to 2016, I would like to take this launch (29th March) to the end of ODAW the reach was
moment to thank all our followers across our over 1.3 million. These are very impressive numbers for
Asocial media pages for their continued support. an organisation of our size!
A year is a long time in social media, and I am 2016 also saw the IKA Facebook page make the final
delighted to report our social media presence this year of the Social Media Awards (Sockies) when we were
again took a big jump. Our Facebook account has shortlisted in the category: Best Facebook page for
grown to over 22,000 fans, the Twitter page has recently a Non-Profit Charitable Organisation. We were
hit 2,000 followers and our Instagram page, which we delighted to get to the final, eventually losing out
launched this year, has over 1,000 followers. to the Irish Defence Forces. Hopefully we will be
Our Facebook page has been likened to the ‘virtual back again next year!
branch’ of the IKA and the enormous online community There are opportunities everywhere to
that it brings together offers a wonderful platform for promote organ donor awareness online,
everyone to share stories, share experiences and learn with that in mind, this year also saw us launch
from each other. a YouTube Channel, and we plan to
There was a great reaction to a story we posted about feature a mix of interviews,
Mary Flynn from Drumkeerin, Co Leitrim, aged 84, who promotional videos and patient
is a patient in Beaumont Hospital and wanted to do testimonials.
something to say thanks for all the care she received If you have any uplifting
over the years! So she decided to have her head shaved! stories, fundraising events,
Her efforts raised €5000 which was split three ways etc. that you would like me
between the transplant unit, oncology and the IKA to promote on our social
Renal Support Centre. The post proved a great success media platforms please
reaching over 31,000 people, with over 140 let me know.
commenting showing their support to Mary, a fine
example of bringing together our Facebook
communities.
This year, during Organ Donor Awareness Week
(2nd-9th April) the IKA Facebook page was very
successful and we reached over 1 million people with

Finally I’d
like to wish
you all a
happy
Christmas and
a prosperous
New Year!

If you have any enquiries
please contact me:
JAMES REYNOLDS
in Donor House,
via email: james@ika.ie or
through our social media pages:
www.facebook.com/irishkidneyassociation
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