Brolly’s Altruistic Act
A good news story to warm the cockles of Slugger’s collective heart. Legendary Derry GAA star and present-day RTE pundit for Gaelic Games, Joe Brolly, is recovering in hospital after donating a kidney to a fellow under-age coach from the St Brigid’s GAA club in Belfast, Shane Finnegan.
From the Belfast Telegraph:
Two-time all-star Brolly, who now works as a barrister and TV sports pundit, approached Mr Finnegan when he heard he needed a live donor.
“I’m honoured to have been in the position to help Shane,” he said from hospital.
“He’s been waiting for a transplant for over six years and when I heard that the only possibility of one was through a live donor I contacted his medical team. Of course, in my considered opinion it’s all going according to plan – and thankfully the doctors concur.”
Mr Finnegan, 40, has suffered from kidney problems for 20 years. Two previous transplants have failed – one of them after 12 years.
“Joe’s altruism is overwhelming and of course there are no words to thank him or his family for his wonderful gift,” said the father-of-three, who is a client director at leading Belfast public relations firm Aiken PR.
“Joe’s altruism is overwhelming and of course there are no words to thank him or his family for his wonderful gift,” said the father-of-three,
Wonderful, fair play to Joe. His amazing kindness might set others thinking about organ donation too.
Altruism doesn’t generally get the recognition it deserves. It was my privilege during the 70s and 80s to witness many acts of altruism but Joe takes it to a very high level. I hope both men enjoy a very healthy future.
This is walking the walk. Fair play to Joe Brolly.
An awesome act of bravery and kindness.
Cothrom na Feinne and meas an domhain do Joe Brolly.(‘fair play and all the respect in the world to Joe Brolly’)
This guy earns my ever-lasting respect. I know Shane Finnegan and his family and you couldn’t meet nicer people. Joe Brolly has done a deed of the utmost decency and kindness: laoch na hEireann (‘an Irish hero’).
Very selfless act by Joe Brolly. I hope it will encourage others to do the same.
As I said to my friend Al
“A brolly is useful for the rainAl.
Sorry.
Do NI transplant patients normally get treated outside NI, or was this merely a personal choice of the gentlemen involved?
In a world of bad news stories, it’s uplifting to read of someone doing something just to help someone else in desparate need. Getwell soon the pair of them and we’ll done Joe.
Its heart warming. In 1998-99 I had a kidney problem but thankfully nothing on this scale. But thru hospital visits met some people who were in much worse situations.
Joe Brolly deserves our respect. Hopefully it wil highlight the need for transplants and volunteers.
For all the bad stuff here…there is genuine decency.
We are too hard on each other and too hard on ourselves.
Great to see both sides of the community working to tackle kidney-related medical conditions:
http://www.grandorangelodge.co.uk/charity/NI-Kidney-Research.html
A selfless act by Joe Brolly also – well done.
Just read about this in the Tellty. As others have said, it’s so refreshing to have something so positive to talk about.
It’s a pity he didn’t donate a brain cell or two to Pat Spillane ….
All the best to Joe Brolly in his recovery , a beautiful thing to do .
at some point ive to go for a relatively minor op, but will be under anasesthetic- hate the thought of it – but to voluntarily go through with such a major operation as Joe and his friend is pretty much mindboggling – speedy recovery to the pair of them
A really heartwarming story. A friend of mine gave his brother a kidney 10 years ago and they are both in great health. This was a massive gesture by Joe Brolly and highlights the importance of organ donation. Well done
cracking act of friendship. a good news story indeed.
Joe is a real lifetime ALLSTAR!
Yes, a wonderful act of supreme generosity by Mr. Brolly.
I wonder if it would be possible for someone like him to go straight to the top of the transplant list should his remaining kidney fail.Such a thing might encourage others to donate.
Mister_Joe
“I wonder if it would be possible for someone like him to go straight to the top of the transplant list should his remaining kidney fail.”
He could always ask the Ireland Rugby Team.They have a Kidney they no longer need.
Fair play to Joe.
I think everyone is united in admiration for Joe’s selfless action.As Nevin points out altruism doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves.Perhaps other posters can give us some other examples of genuine altruism over the last few decades.
I can’t believe someone actually posted a two year old photo of Orangemen donating a cheque to charity in response to this.
Actually, I can believe it but it’s still funny. Loz…
What an admirable act. What a man.
Some sad news on this:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19955914