New Inn man to climb Slievenamon to highlight 'life-changing gift' of organ donation

A 68-year-old New Inn man, who underwent a lung transplant three years ago, will climb Slievenamon this Saturday, July 19 to raise awareness of the “life-changing gift” of organ donation.

Frank O’Connor, who lives in Knocklyon in Dublin, will complete the hike of Tipperary’s most iconic mountain with members of his family including some of his four sons and five grandchildren.

“I am a proud Tipperary man, born and raised in New Inn, and one of 18 siblings. This climb marks my first physical challenge since receiving a life-saving lung transplant in the summer of 2022 — a journey I never imagined, but one for which I am eternally grateful,” he told The Nationalist.

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“At the summit, we will raise a special flag to honour and thank my organ donor, the Mater Hospital Transplant Team, and the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association for their extraordinary care and unconditional support.”

The flag Frank O'Connor will erect on the summit of Slievenamon on Saturday. 

His climb of Slievenamon comes just a month after the introduction of Ireland’s new “soft opt-out” organ donation legislation.

Under this law, consent for organ donation is now presumed unless an individual has registered their wish not to donate.

“We hope our climb will help bring this important change into public focus and encourage meaningful conversations around organ donation,” he said.

Frank has documented his story of illness, transplant and recovery in his book Dying for a Breath.

Proceeds from the book’s sales are donated to the Mater Hospital Foundation and Irish Lung Fibrosis Association.

To date the book has raised €10,000 and is available through Orpen Press at www.orpenpress.com (€24 including P&P).

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