Altruism of Omagh hairdresser who donated kidney to a stranger

AN Omagh hairdresser who bravely volunteered to give a stranger the gift of life by donating one of her kidneys has said it was the best thing she has ever done in her life.

In an act of incredible altruism, Margaret McCrory took some time off recently to donate the vital organ to a person she may never meet.

The 57-year-old, who is from Rouskey, decided to tell her story in the hope that others will consider organ donation, and hopefully save a life. Her kidney went to a man in England, with a message on a card from her saying, “I hope everything works out for you. I hope you have a long and happy life.”

She also got a ‘lovely’ card from the recipient, whose identity she might never know. Margaret said, “I want people to know it can be done, and you can have a perfectly healthy life afterwards. It will probably be the best thing I ever did.”

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The popular Rouskey woman has been surprised by the reaction of friends, who have been very supportive, but nonetheless shocked and, indeed, emotional, on hearing of her selfless act.

She says many were unaware it was possible to volunteer to donate a kidney to a stranger.

But for Margaret, it was a ‘no brainer’, as, she says, “People in need of a kidney aren’t going to get one if no-one gives them. I don’t see it as being brave or a great thing to do. If you needed a kidney, you would take it. But, in order to receive, someone has to give.”

GIVING

Margaret was inspired to go forward after BBC sports presenter, Stephen Watson, appeared on the Nolan TV show in 2019 to talk about his constant dialysis treatment and need for a replacement kidney after the one he got from his dad, Cecil, in a life-saving transplant operation 29 years ago had eventually expired.

“I have always carried a donor card to be used after death,” said Margaret.

“The City Hospital in Belfast got a lot of applications to donate kidneys after Stephen Watson highlighted the need for donors, but very few went through with it. There are very few people come forward. The first altruistic donation was in 2011, and since then, they have done 73.

“I was further encouraged when my cousin’s wee three-year-old son, David Glass in Australia got a new heart, and is doing well.

“Someone had to die to donate that heart, and I thought ‘I can do something now when I’m alive’.

“I rang the City Hospital, and asked them to send me information.

“I had to give medical and other details. I was told there could be a difficulty with having only one kidney as I was overweight. So, I had to get exercising more and dieting!”

However, soon after, donor operations, and indeed the country, ground to a halt with the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the end of last year a phone call came from the City Hospital saying, “Do you still want to donate your kidney, Margaret?”

Resilient as ever, she certainly did!

A day of tests followed to make sure that Margaret’s other kidney was in good fettle, as well as a psychological assessment and legalities. The big call came in February that a match was found, and in April she went for the operation.

“I went into the City Hospital on a Tuesday, had the operation on Wednesday and was out on Saturday,” she recalled. “Physically, I felt good afterwards, although I was tired – as one would be after any surgery.

“My other kidney is grand. I took it easy at work for a while.

“Although I am here over 30 years, so I was easing up anyway. Some nurses even said, ‘I don’t know how you do this’, but I said, ‘If you needed a kidney you would take it’.

“You have two kidneys; give one to someone who needs it’.

“I was told the operation for the man in England was a complete success. I was so glad.

“The worst scenario would be to be told it didn’t work. I would have been absolutely gutted.”

SUPPORT

Among those offering their support was Stephen Watson, who was told of Margaret’s altruism by her cousin who works with the BBC.

“He rang me two nights before I went into hospital. He was delighted to hear I was doing this on the back of his interview and has been in contact with me since.

“I didn’t tell very many people what I was doing. I didn’t want to worry my family, and when I arrived home, my parents and brother and sister were there, and they asked how my ‘business course’ went. I pulled up my jumper and told them I’ve been to hospital and donated a kidney! My parents haven’t said much about it. I don’t know whether they think it is not such a big deal, or if they are in shock!

“People have reacted with amazement, and some have been quite emotional about it. I don’t see it as such a big thing. I would encourage others to do the same.

“Being a donor saves lives.”

Margaret, proprietor of Margaret’s Hair Salon on High Street, added, “I would like to thank my family, friends and customers for their ongoing support and encouragement and well wishes.”