Renewed kidney donor appeal to help transform little Cora’s life

A DRUMQUIN family’s agonising wait goes on, as the search to find a compatible kidney donor for eight-year-old Cora Connolly continues.

The young girl, who was diagnosed with advanced chronic kidney disease last year, will likely need a lifesaving transplant within the next 12 months.

To date, her parents, as well as three other relatives, have been tested in order to determine whether they are eligible donors. However, at the time of writing, none of them have been told whether they are suitable for a transplant.

“I was tested before Christmas and then the rest of them were tested in the New Year, but none of us have heard anything back yet,” said Cora’s mother Ashlene, speaking with WeAreTyrone.

“I think I’m going to get Ryan (Cora’s father) to call them (Royal Victoria Hospital) and see if there are any updates available. Playing the waiting game is hard, believe me,” she said.

But, although the family are feeling the strain of what must feel like an interminable wait, Ashlene did share some hopeful news.

“If I understand the process properly, first they test to see if any family fit the criteria for a transplant, then they start searching beyond. As far as I know, there are a lot of people that could potentially make a match for Cora, so that’s reassuring.”

Cora, who is a P5 pupil at St Joseph’s Primary School in Drumquin, remains in ‘good form’, according to her mother.

“I am so proud of our little warrior, she has had it all this last week – vaccines, other injections, bloods and scans – and she hasn’t complained once. She is so positive, which helps us stay positive too,” said Ashlene.

However, Cora’s parents are also aware that time, on some level, is ticking, and the sooner a match is found, the better.

“If we don’t get a match in the next few months, there is a chance Cora will have to go on dialysis, which we don’t want.

“We have received so much support from the local community and we are so thankful for all of it. We want to see a transplant happen quick, while Cora is in good health and at her most able to recover. That’s what we are hoping for – it’s what keeps us going. The more donors, the better our chances of getting that match.”