An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir May 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD WITH GWEN O'DONOGHUE, CONNECT COMMUNICATIONS, ON BEHALF OF THE IKA PHOTOS BY ANDRES POVEDA, WWW.APPHOTO.IE SGT PAT CASSIDY REMEMBERED T he Irish Kidney Association's (IKA) Organ Donor Aware- ness Week took place from 30th March – 6th April, with the aim being "to remind individuals to talk to their families about their organ donation wishes and keep the reminders of their decision available by carrying the organ donor card, permitting code '115' to be included on their driver's licence, and having the digital organ donor card app on their smartphone." Organ Donor Awareness Week also serves as an annual fundraiser in support of kidney patients and their families. On 1st April the IKA visited McKee Barracks to meet members of the Defence Forces who were supporting Organ Donor Awareness Week in conjunction with CAOGA. It was also an opportunity to honour the memory of Sgt Pat Cassidy who passed away five years ago aged only 47 after suffering a heart attack. Pat, who served in the Chief of Staff's office for a long number of years before trans- ferring to Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny, was a regular blood donor and carried an organ donor card. After his death, Pat's wife Yvonne and their children Jessica, Rachel and Cian, honoured Pat's wishes by donating his lungs, liver and kidneys, which saved three lives. Speaking at the event in McKee Bks, Yvonne said: "It's a very special day for myself and my family to be asked to help highlight Organ Donor Awareness Week alongside members of the Defence Forces and CAOGA here in McKee Bks where Pat and I were mar- ried. Pat would have been proud. "Pat was seemingly very fit and healthy before he passed away at just 47 years of age. He ran 8km a day, didn't smoke, and drank in moderation, although he did have high blood pressure. Following his heart attack he had stents inserted but he took a bad turn, thought to have been caused by an aneurysm, which left him on life support for three days before we said goodbye to him. The decision to donate his organs was a hard one to make but was made easier knowing that we were honouring his wishes..." Representing CAOGA, Comdt Ciara Murray said: "We are delight- ed to be here today in recognition of a former colleague, Pat Cassidy, and the other deceased organ donors who have saved lives through transplantation, and to highlight Organ Donor Awareness Week." IKA CEO Mark Murphy expressed his organisation's gratitude to CAOGA and the Cassidy family for their "hugely significant and motivational initiative" to help highlight the vital importance of organ donation. CQMS Patrick 'Doc' Doherty, DFTC HQ spoke of his friend, "I worked with Pat for almost ten years in DFHQ. The day always began with a smiling Pat Cassidy walking down the landing coming in for a cup of tea and chin wag about life in general. He was a family man first and foremost, a man who had god in his life every day, a good soldier and a dear friend. His passing was devastating to his family and friends but even in death he saved the lives of people with his decision to be an organ donor." Sgt Rena Kennedy, DF Press Office said, "I had the pleasure of working alongside Pat in DFHQ for eight years. What I learned most from working alongside Pat was his devotion to his family. He advised me when my daughters came along to enjoy every day, even the hard days. He spoke about Yvonne, Jessica, Rachel and Cian every day and the joy they each brought to his life. I learned a lot about parenting from Pat and hope I have reached his standards along the way. He was just brilliant." The Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM said, "Sgt Pat Cassidy was one of our finest servicemen, Yvonne and family will always be part of our community in Óglaigh na hÉireann. It is a privilege for the Defence Forces to be associated with Organ Donor Awarenes Week 2019." Organ donor cards can be obtained by phoning the Irish Kidney Association on 01 6205306, or free text the word DONOR to 50050. You can also visit http://ika.ie/get-a-donor-card/ or download a free digital organ donor card app to your phone. On Organ Donor Awareness Week Sgt Pat Cassidy, RIP. Pat and Yvonne Cassidy at their wedding in McKee Bks. Yvonne Cassidy pictured with DF members Comdt Ciara Murray (CAOGA), Capt Andrew Fry (Air Corps), and Lt Colm Fox (Naval Service). Sgt Pat Cassidy's wife Yvonne along their children Cian and Jessica supporting Organ Donor Awareness Week.

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