Remembering little Harvey
The life of an organ donor baby boy from Cork who died in a car accident has been remembered at a charity fundraiser on what would have been his 18th birthday.
Little Harvey Burns’ parents Eddie and Deborah from Macroom marked the 18 year milestone by organising a four course gala dinner at the Castle Hotel, Macroom.
The event raised over €30,000 with proceeds being divided equally between the Irish Kidney Association and the Strange Boat Donor Foundation.
Deborah expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed and made Harvey’s 18th birthday celebration a resounding success.
“Our family was deeply moved by the unwavering support of friends and the entire community of Macroom, to commemorate Harvey's life,” said Deborah. We could have filled the function room four times over but for its capacity being limited to just 160 people,” she added.
Thanking Deborah and Eddie on behalf of the Irish Kidney Association on receiving a cheque for €15,224.38, its chairman Eddie Flood said: “As a kidney transplant recipient myself, I am humbled by your bravery and selflessness. Through your generosity and the support of your community, Harvey's memory lives on, and his legacy of giving the gift of life endures.
“Celebrating his birthday served as a beautiful tribute to his life cut short but never forgotten and is a reminder of the importance of organ donation in transforming tragedy into hope and giving life to others,” added Mr Flood.
Speaking on behalf of Strange Boat Donor Foundation, Denis Goggin said how much he and his wife Martina appreciated the generous donation to their charity.
“This support is a testament to the courage of families who overcome the adversity of losing a loved one and be inspired by their memory to reach out so generously to society and to the cause of organ donation and transplantation,” said Mr Goggin.
Eddie and Deborah Burns were among more than 1,300 people who attended the Irish Kidney Association’s 38th annual Service of Remembrance & Thanksgiving in Mullingar Cathedral on 14 October where families of organ donors and transplant recipients come together.
At the service Eddie Burns participated in an offertory procession and both Eddie and Deborah participated in a symbolic candle lighting ceremony remembering organ donors.
The service will be broadcast on RTÉ One TV and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra on Sunday 5 November at 11am.
Amongst the many to take part in the service was Transplant Team Ireland member Patrick O’Sullivan from Mallow. Kidney recipient Patrick competes in golf, the 100m track, and pétanque doubles for the Irish team in the 50-59 category. He received a kidney transplant in 2015, having been diagnosed with kidney failure in 2002.
Individuals who wish to support organ donation are encouraged to share their wishes with their family and keep the reminders of their decision available by carrying the organ donor card, permitting code 115 to be included on their driver’s licence or having the ‘digital organ donor card’ app on their smartphone. Organ donor cards can be requested by visiting the Irish Kidney Association website ika.ie/get-a-donor-card or by phoning the Irish Kidney Association on 01-6205306 or free text the word DONOR to 50050.