New figures have shown that over 55,000 Irish people registered their objection to be considered an organ donor once they die.

National Advocacy and Projects Manager of the Irish Kidney Association Colin White said the new system is “a huge step forward”.

“The reality is now with the legislation, since June, there’s an opt-out register,” he told The Hard Shoulder.

“So, if you choose not to be considred as a possible organ donor, you can register and you can opt out.

“Everybody else then is considered a potential organ donor.

“The question will be asked of your family – I think it’s important to understand that the legislation still protects and clarifies the role of the family in the consent to final donation of organs.”

A busy hospital. Image: Alamy

Mr White said he wasn’t shocked by the opt-out figures.

“I think it’s important to contextualise them that 40,000 of that 55,000 opted out in the first two weeks,” he said.

“So, you’re always going to have a certain percentage of the population who would prefer not to be considered as organ donors.

“But the numbers opting out each month now have decreased.

“I think if you put it in the context of the fact that 1.6 million people have indicated ‘yes’ on their driving license, 55,000 is a small number.”

The impact of donations

Adrian Cummins, who is currently on dialysis while he awaits a kidney transplant, said an organ donation would transform his quality of life.

“[Being on dialysis] means I get up at half four in the morning, I’m in the hospital at half five, I’m hooked up to the machine at just nearly six o’clock,” he said.

“I’m on the machine for three and a half hours, and then I go to work at 10 o’clock in the morning, try and do a day’s work.

“Then after that you’re quite tired because it takes a bit out of you.

“You acclimatise to it, you accommodate, you try and build your life around it.”

However, according to the research, it will take about five years before the new opt-out system benefits patients like Mr Cummins.

Main image: Hands holding heart organ layout. Image: Valiantsin Suprunovich / Alamy. 28 January 2022