Father’s Day celebration marks 15 years since Mayo father’s life-saving gift to his son

This Father’s Day will hold a special significance for one Westport family as they celebrate not only the bond between a father and a son, but also 15 years since a life-saving kidney transplant transformed their lives.

For Steve O’Shea and his son Colm, what began as a father’s extraordinary act of generosity in June 2011 has become an annual family tradition. Every year, the O’Sheas gather to mark what they affectionately call their “kidney anniversary” – the day Steve donated a kidney to his then 12-year-old son.

This year’s celebration is particularly meaningful, marking 15 years since the transplant that gave Colm, now 27 and living and working in Galway, the chance to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling future.

The milestone also offers an opportunity for Colm’s mother, Daire, to reflect on a period she describes as one of the most challenging and emotional times in the family’s life.

“It was a very stressful and emotional time for our family,” she recalls. “Not only was our son undergoing a kidney transplant, but my husband was also having major surgery on the same day. We were a long way from our home in Co. Mayo.”

Colm was born with a rare condition known as posterior urethral valves (PUV), which affects the urinary tract and kidneys. Although the condition was not diagnosed until he was six months old, he came under the care of specialists at Temple Street Children’s Hospital, where his kidney function was monitored throughout his childhood.

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As the years passed, it became clear that he would eventually require a transplant. Fortunately, Steve proved to be a suitable donor and underwent living donor surgery in June 2011.

While Steve was having surgery at Beaumont Hospital, his kidney was transported to Temple Street, where Colm was waiting to receive the transplant.

At the same time, the family was juggling another major milestone, with Colm’s older brother, Diarmuid, sitting his Junior Certificate examinations.

Like many families facing serious illness, every member of the household was affected by the uncertainty and emotional strain.

Throughout the transplant process, the family found invaluable support through the Irish Kidney Association’s National Kidney Support Centre in Dublin. Located just a short distance from Beaumont Hospital, the centre provided accommodation and a welcoming space during screening appointments, surgery and recovery.

“The staff understood exactly what families like ours were going through,” Daire said. “They were kind, supportive and always there with a listening ear when you needed one.

“I’ll never forget the comfort and reassurance we received there,” she added. “Knowing there was someone in our corner who understood what we were facing and who was always ready to help gave us enormous peace of mind. At a time when everything felt overwhelming, the National Kidney Support Centre became a home from home for our family.”

The transplant was carried out before Colm required dialysis, sparing him the physical and emotional challenges associated with the treatment and allowing him to continue enjoying a more normal childhood.

Fifteen years later, the family remains deeply grateful for the support they received and hopes sharing their story will encourage others to support the Irish Kidney Association’s National Kidney Support Centre, which is currently fundraising for a major renovation project.

As they gather together this Father’s Day, the O’Sheas will celebrate more than an anniversary. They will celebrate a father’s gift, a family’s resilience and 15 years of memories made possible by a life-changing act of love.