'When Sinead was 14 she said she wanted to donate her organs when she died.. that wish came true just eight years later' Selfless daughter's gift of life provides inspiration for transplant games heroes.

Byline: CLAIRE BRENNAN

ON August 18, a team of 20 Irish athletes will travel to the World Transplant Games with 14 new kidneys, five new livers, and one new pancreas.

They have overcome lifethreatening illnesses to make it to the 17th running of the event, which will be staged on Australia's Gold Coast.

And although bravery and determination have played a part in their success, they also owe their lives to several selfless donor card carriers.

Latest figures show 88 people donated organs following their deaths in 2007, saving the lives of over 200 gravely-ill patients.

Hundreds of others are currently waiting in transplant pools around the country hoping a compatible organ will be found.

You could help transform their lives by texting the word DONOR to 50050 or logging on to www.ika.ie and signing up for your Donor Card today.

WHEN Sinead Doherty was just 14 years old she made a decision that would change the lives of four complete strangers forever.

The brave teenager surprised her parents when she came home from school with a donor card grasped tightly in her hand and declared: "I am going to donate my organs when I die."

Her mum Mary and dad Paddy eventually agreed with their determined daughter unaware that just eight years later they would have to honour her selfless decision.

Mary told the Irish Daily Mirror: "It was Sinead's choice from the very start. I think that was incredibly brave of her. We knew a couple of children who needed transplants and I think that put the idea in her head all those years ago.

"Of course she never thought at that stage she would be dying at 22. It just showed amazing bravery at that age.

"When she died and we were asked if we wanted to go ahead with it there was no hesitation. We wanted to honour her wishes. You couldn't go against what she wanted."

Sinead's sudden death, from a brain haemorrhage in October 1994, left a gaping hole in the lives of Mary, Paddy and their two children Anthony and Ann-Margaret.

The image of her daughter falling to the floor in their home in Drogheda Co Louth, is still etched in Mary's mind.

But it is eased by the thought that her tragic end has a lasting legacy.

She said: "It was very sudden. She was working away in SuperValu.

"She had so many friends and was loving life.

"She had been complaining about really bad headaches for a while so she went to the doctor and was told nothing was wrong.

"They let her home and she was just lying around the house. She was in a lot of pain with the headaches. I was very worried.

"Then one day she just stood up and slumped on the floor. She looked like she was sleeping. Blood vessels had burst in her head and she suffered a massive aneurysm.

"She was on life-support in the hospital and her friends all came in and got to say goodbye. They miss her a lot too and have never forgotten us.

"Sinead was an absolutely lovely person. We miss her terribly. There is not a day that goes by when I don't think of her."

When doctors approached Mary and asked her to donate Sinead's organs, the courageous mum didn't give it a second thought.

Despite her tender years Sinead was insistent that her death should save the lives of others, a choice her family still admire. Although the identity of a donor is always a closely-guarded secret, Mary believes this should not deter patients from contacting the family of the person who saved their life.

She said: "I am glad about what Sinead did for all those other people. But I have always felt a little upset about never hearing from them.

"It's so good to think they have a new lease of life. We never stop thinking about her and how brave she was right up until the end." To date, Mary has received just one letter from a woman, whose life was transformed by Sinead's untimely death.

She explained: "Only one person wrote to us after two years. I don't know how the other people are or if they are alive. Three women and a man got her organs. I have often wondered about them and how they are doing. The lady that wrote the letter told us she was doing well and I was just thrilled.

"It means so much. I don't know her name or where she is from, it was an anonymous letter that was passed on through the donor co-ordinator. I've read stories where people meet the family of the organ donor.

"I wouldn't want that, just to know they are happy and well. That's all I need."

Mary's strength is made all the more astounding considering Sinead isn't the only child she has lost.

Just four years after the pretty 22year-old passed away, her big sister Ann-Margaret lost her battle with breast cancer. Mary said: "It was a double blow for us. Ann-Margaret would have donated her organs too but she had cancer. Both of them were so close. Just lovely, lovely girls. Ann had too little boys when she died. They are 12 and 14 now. I am so glad that we have them."

Mary added she has had no choice, other than to get on with her life for the sake of her husband, son and grandchildren.

The family have supported each other but also owe a lot to Sinead's friends and the Irish Kidney Association. Every October they journey to Dublin for a special remembrance service organised by the IKA on the Home Farm Road.

The event brings together transplant patients and donor families from around the country. Mary said: "It's such a brilliant occasion. It's nice to know that they are being remembered and it's very important to speak with other people who know what you are going through.

"Only for the support we have received I don't know how we would have got through it."

Sinead's friends have also been a tower of strength for the Dohertys.

Mary added: "Sinead was special and I know all parents say that but she really was.

"All her friends still keep in touch. Sinead used to decorate the Christmas Tree and the Christmas after she died my husband Paddy said he didn't think he was up to doing it alone.

"So her friends came around and helped him. It was like she sent them."

CAPTION(S):

CLOSE From left, Ann-Margaret, mum Mary, brother Anthony, 21st birthday girl Laura, and her dad Paddy SMILES Sinead and boyfriend Pat Murray share a laugh in 1994 JOY Sinead, right, and family at her sister's wedding in 1994. Ann-Margaret later lost her battle with cancer TOWER OF STRENGTH Sinead Doherty's organs helped four people in 1994 after she died of a brain haemorrhage POPULAR Sinead