A Galwaywoman has spoken out about the life-changing impact of a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant she received in 2024, expressing deep gratitude to her donor and highlighting the vital importance of organ donation.
Alceina O’Brien, a 51-year-old retired nurse and mother to 16-year-old Rhianna, underwent the double transplant at St Vincent’s University Hospital last year after living with type 1 diabetes for nearly three decades and enduring five years on dialysis.
“I am the grateful recipient of two fabulous organs,” she told the launch this week. “Thanks to my amazing donor, I have received a cherished simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant that transformed my life.”
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just 23 while finishing her nurse training, Alceina faced the progressive toll of the disease on her health over the years. At 45, she entered renal failure and began haemodialysis — a gruelling routine that disrupted every aspect of her life.
“I had to give up work due to extreme tiredness,” she recalled. “Dialysis kept me alive, but it uprooted my personal, home and work life.”
Alceina underwent treatment three days a week while also managing a strict renal and diabetic diet, fluid restrictions, and dealing with the physical and emotional toll of long-term illness. Counselling support from the Irish Kidney Association helped her navigate the mental strain of the experience, which she described as one of “restriction, fear and anxiety, sadness and frustration.”
Despite the hardships, she remained focused on the hope of receiving a transplant. “I started my transplant workup as soon as I could. It kept me focused on the possibility of getting a new gift of life.”
After five long years on the transplant waiting list, she finally received the call.
“When I was told to make my way to St Vincent’s for the transplant, I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. I felt hope and relief, but also deep sorrow for the family who had just lost a loved one. Their selfless decision is something I will carry with me forever.”
The transplant was a success, and recovery was swift with the support of her partner Simon, her family, and the medical teams. Today, Alceina is free of diabetes for the first time in 28 years and no longer requires dialysis or medical devices like insulin pumps and glucose sensors.
“My life has utterly changed for the better,” she said. “I have more energy, more freedom, and I can enjoy the simple things — like going on holidays and spending time with my daughter. Rhianna has shared the good times and the bad with me. She’s grown into a strong, kind young woman who also understands the true value of organ donation.”
Having experienced healthcare from both sides — as a nurse and a patient — Alceina now feels compelled to share her story in hopes of encouraging others to consider becoming organ donors.
“Many people put their hand out to help me. It’s my turn now to reach back and offer my hand to help others,” she said. “Organ donation truly is a gift of life. I leave you with a heart full of gratitude. Thank you.”
Organ Donor Awareness Week 2025 (May 10–17 ) was officially launched at the Mansion House, Dublin, on Tuesday, with a powerful national call to action “Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones in Doubt”.
Organised by the Irish Kidney Association (IKA ) with support from the HSE’s Organ Donation Transplant Ireland (ODTI ) office, the campaign shines a spotlight on the life-changing impact of organ donation for transplantation and the role that families play in ensuring that your wishes are carried out. www.ika.ie/donorweek/ With over 600 people currently on transplant waiting lists for organs including the heart, lung, liver, kidney, and pancreas, and over 500 of these waiting for a kidney transplant alone, the need for a national conversation about organ donation has never been more urgent.
