Life-changing organ donation gives County Roscommon woman 'gift of life'

A young County Roscommon woman who once feared she might never become a mother is celebrating a most precious milestone, thanks to the life-changing gift of organ donation.

Susan Mulligan, originally from Castlerea and now living in Kilcock, County Kildare, holds her ten-month-old son Noah close — a moment she says once felt beyond reach. Now, surrounded by her soon-to-be husband Dáveóg McKenna and their child, she is sharing her story publicly for the first time to mark Organ Donor Awareness Week, in the hope that others might be inspired to talk about organ donation and the lives it can transform.

“Our family’s journey with polycystic kidney disease has been long and challenging,” Susan explains. Out of six siblings, four have been diagnosed with the inherited condition, making kidney failure and transplantation an all-too-familiar reality in the Mulligan household.

For Susan, that journey involved spending two and a half years on dialysis before receiving a kidney transplant in 2019. It was a turning point that would alter the course of her life in ways she could scarcely have imagined at the time.

Hers is a story that echoes across generations. Her father, Michael, underwent a kidney transplant more than 20 years ago after three years on dialysis, and her sister Julie Sutcliffe — now living in Aughrim, County Wicklow — also endured nearly three years of dialysis before receiving her own transplant during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“All three family members received life-saving kidney transplants made possible through the selflessness of families of deceased donors,” Susan says, her voice filled with gratitude.

But for Susan, the transplant brought more than improved health — it restored possibility.

“My life was on hold until I had my transplant,” she says. “Since then, I am the happiest I’ve ever been.” In July 2025, that renewed hope became reality when Susan gave birth to her son Noah, a milestone she describes as “a moment of immense joy, and one I once feared might never come.” 

She credits not only her donor but also the support of healthcare professionals, her family, and the Irish Kidney Association for helping her reach that moment. “I am forever in debt to my donor and their family,” she says. “I have a new life with my fiancé and our beautiful son, and I know they wouldn’t be part of my story today had I not received the best gift ever — the gift of life.” 

Since her transplant, Susan’s life has taken on a new rhythm. She met Dáveóg, whom she is due to marry this July, and together they are building a future shaped not by illness, but by hope.

The family continues to navigate life after transplantation, attending regular follow-up care. Susan and her sister now visit Tallaght Hospital, while their father still travels from Roscommon to Beaumont Hospital for routine check-ups — a reminder that transplant success requires lifelong commitment.

Throughout their journey, the Irish Kidney Association’s National Kidney Support Centre at Beaumont Hospital has been a constant source of comfort. It provided accommodation and support when Susan underwent her transplant, allowing loved ones to stay close during recovery.

“It was such a comfort to have that space,” she recalls. “I was living in rented accommodation at the time and didn’t have the support or transport I needed, so being able to stay there after my transplant was invaluable.” She also remembers how her father would rely on the centre during his hospital visits — arriving early by train from Roscommon, reading his newspaper while waiting for results in a warm, supportive environment.

Now, during Organ Donor Awareness Week (May 16th–23rd), Susan hopes her family’s experience will encourage others to consider the impact of organ donation — and to have conversations that could one day save lives.

More than 650 people in Ireland are currently waiting for a life-saving transplant, and each donor has the potential to save up to eight lives. Yet only a small percentage of deaths occur in circumstances where organ donation is possible, making every donor decision profoundly important.

Recent legislative changes have introduced a soft opt-out system, meaning people are presumed to have consented to organ donation unless they have registered otherwise. However, family agreement remains essential — reinforcing the campaign’s central message: “Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones in Doubt. Share Your Wishes About Organ Donation.” 

For Susan Mulligan, that message is not abstract — it is deeply personal.

Her story is one of resilience, family, and extraordinary generosity — a reminder that behind every transplant lies a decision that can rewrite someone’s future.

As she looks ahead to her wedding day and watches her son take his first steps, Susan carries with her a quiet but powerful truth: that one act of kindness, made in the darkest of moments, can bring unimaginable light to another life.

•For more information or to request an organ donor card (including in digital format), visit www.ika.ie/donorweek