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Message from LORRAINE COSTELLO, IKA Patient Support Officer

Whilst all around us politicians and economists are assuring us that this dreadful recession is finally
coming to an end, the reality is that the majority of our families are still encountering real hardship.
The 85% restoration of the social welfare Christmas grant is welcome but does little to alleviate the
financial difficulty people have been enduring these past twelve months. Just like our members the IKA,
too, has had to come to terms with a vastly reduced income stream and we continue to rely on the
goodwill and determination of our friends and supporters to raise much needed funds so that we can
commit resources to those most in need.

As was the practice in 2015 many and guide us.
members, this past year, woke up to letters I would also like to thank the Patient Care
informing them that their medical cards had Co-ordinators, hospital Social Workers,
been withdrawn. Also from the sound of Nursing personnel and all those involved in
Lorraine Costello recent disturbing political utterances even the day-to-day care of our renal patients.
more medical cards are to be withdrawn in Thanks to their vigilance, interest and support,
2017. Since the IKA's foundation, the patients' needs and concerns are brought to
Association has actively campaigned, my attention. In turn, the IKA is pleased to
unfortunately without success, for renal offer its assistance, be it practical, financial or
failure to be placed on the long-term illness emotional support. Additionally IKA Branch
list and, in these harsh economic times it Officers also continue to advise me of their
continues to be unlikely for this ever to local members' needs.
happen. However I continue to attempt to In conclusion, may I congratulate all our
support each patient's appeal upon
patients who were fortunate enough to
withdrawal of their medical card, by writing a
receive a transplant in 2016 and wish them
letter of support. May I please request those I
well. I also would like to encourage those
have advocated for, in 2016, to please let me
who are still waiting for that most important
know if your appeal was successful or not as
call that, hopefully, it will be your turn in 2017
it would be helpful to acquire such
Seasons' information. to receive the precious 'gift of life'. Each year I
am privileged and humbled to converse with
This past twelve months has seen an
greetings increased demand for patient aid and the IKA Donor Families whose generosity, at a time of
great personal loss, never ceases to amaze
continues to valiantly attempt to maintain
to all our services, despite its reduced income. I would me.
As Christmas approaches I hope and trust
like to highlight that confidential patient aid
that Donor Families are aware and confident
members, is, as usual, available throughout the entire in the knowledge that their organ transplant
year and not simply at Christmas time. Indeed
recipients continue to remember them and
many patients contact me.
patients, May I respectfully remind you of the thank them daily. I am conscious that Donor
Families are greatly comforted (particularly at
various channels which can be used:-
friends Christmas time when their own personal loss
Contact your local Branch Officers. of a loved one is even more difficult) to
and Contact the Sister in your unit, Patient receive anonymously, a letter, thank you note,
Care Co-ordinator, or Hospital Social Mass card or update on their recipients' lives.
medical Worker and of course you can contact me They are touched by the recognition of their
directly, Lorraine Costello, Donor House, family's courageous decision to donate, and
personnel 01-6205306 or email: l.costello@ika.ie the reality that they are being remembered, at
this sad time, when families traditionally come
I would like to thank Regina Reynolds and together. However, for Donor Families, the
her team in the offices of Organ Donation reality is that there is an empty space at their
and Transplantation Ireland for their help in own table.
2016. Additionally, Aileen Counihan, Senior Finally I wish all our members and readers a
Co-ordinator in Living Donation, Beaumont happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy
Hospital and her team, continues to advise New Year.
IKA S UPPORT W INTER 2016 5