A fundraising campaign has been launched to support a young Donegal man as he begins the next chapter following a second kidney transplant.
Ballybofey man Joseph Deery (25) underwent transplant surgery at Beaumont Hospital this week after receiving the life-changing call that a donor kidney had become available.
A fundraiser, organised by Joseph’s uncle and godfather Shane Deery, tells of the long and difficult journey Joseph and his family have faced since he was diagnosed with kidney disease as a child.
You can donate to help Joseph and his family by clicking here.
Joseph required dialysis at a young age before receiving his first kidney transplant in early 2009 – just a month before his ninth birthday.
That transplant served Joseph for more than a decade before beginning to fail in 2022 when he was forced back onto dialysis
Shane said Joseph has always remained determined to live as full and independent a life as possible.
Their hopes were lifted on Sunday when Joseph received the call to travel to Beaumont Hospital after a suitable donor kidney became available.
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Joseph underwent transplant surgery on Tuesday and was transferred back to his ward later that evening.
While Joseph has required dialysis again following the operation because of elevated potassium levels, his family says doctors have confirmed that the transplanted kidney has already begun producing urine, which represents an encouraging early sign of recovery.
The fundraiser aims to ease the financial burden as Joseph focuses on his recovery and looks ahead to a brighter future.
His family hopes the support raised will help him build an independent life, return to work and fulfil a long-held ambition of travelling to Australia to visit his brother, Robert.
“He’s tried so hard to be upbeat and positive,” Shane says. “The family also have alluded to sharing any funds that might be raised to help others in their journey to a better quality of life by donating to the Irish kidney foundation.”