'For us, Aaron's family it gives us hope, it was not a full stop but a new chapter'

The moving story of a young Navan man who saved four lives through organ donation, touched the hearts of students in Ratoath at an event to mark organ donation week.

Adam Cantwell spoke to the school community at Ratoath College about his much loved brother, Aaron, who was just 20 years old when he passed away three years ago following a traffic accident on the Trim Road.

Aaron, who was a lifeguard and swim coach at Aura in Navan, had indicated to his family that he wanted to be an organ donor and when he died his organs were donated, saving four lives, as his kidneys, liver and heart were donated.

At last Thursday's event, Adam was joined by two transplant recipients who told Transition Year students how organ failure brought into focus how precious time is with family, friends and for fulfilling your hopes and dreams.

Each of the speakers offered powerful and heartfelt insights into organ donation and the life-changing impact of organ transplants. Organ donation is the gift of so many life experiences and it is appreciated every day.

Aaron Cantwell, who grew up in Navan was always a kind and generous person and when he passed away following a road accident in 2022, Adam and his parents Naomi and David made the selfless decision to donate Aaron’s organs. His heart was successfully transplanted in the Mater Hospital; his liver at St Vincent's; and each of his two kidneys at Beaumont Hospital.

"We'd already had a conversation about organ donation. It was just a casual conversation when we were having dinner one night and the general consensus was that we wouldn't need our organs if we passed away so it would be nice to have them used to save someone's life.

"For us, his family, it give us hope, it was not a full stop, but a new chapter. Aaron was always kind and considerate and never did an act of kindness expecting something in return, so he would be pleased his organs helped so many people. He was a very kind hearted person. Nobody had a bad word to say about him."

Adam has wonderful memories of growing up with Aaron.

"I remember when we moved to Trim, we used to pay football on the green in front of the house and we'd play Xbox together. I miss him terribly, but it gets easier as times goes on.

“Aaron loved being a swimming teacher and helping young children with their confidence. He was very open and a good listener and he had a great rapport with the children."

Aaron started work with Aura in December 2019 and from that moment on he had a really positive impact on the lives of anyone he met.

He took an endless amount of pride and joy in the various roles he fulfilled, particularly as a swim teacher, knowing that through providing swim lessons he was helping others.

He is still fondly remembered in Aura in Navan, where there are portraits of him in the reception area and the staff room.

His mum, Naomi, has shared an entry from his journal which shows what a considerate person he was; "I’m going to be myself and be nice to everyone I can. Even if a small thing I do makes someone smile then I did a good job because everyone has their battles and, if even for a few seconds they are happy, it makes a difference,”

Adam says his family want to remember Aaron's life, not his death. "I have his birthday tattooed on my wrist. We want to remember that date fondly, not the date of his passing."

At last Thursdays event Adam stressed the importance of speaking to your loved ones about your wishes to become an organ donor.

"It doesn't have to be a big formal conversation, just a chat," he said.

The event was organised by the Irish Kidney Association, organisers of Organ Donor Awareness Week to encourage conversations around organ donation and to promote the importance of carrying an organ donor card.

Their message is “Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones in Doubt”. The campaign shines a spotlight on the life-changing impact of organ donation for transplantation and the role that families play in ensuring that your wishes are carried out.

In 2024, 263 organ transplants were carried out thanks to the generosity of 84 deceased donors and 30 living kidney donors. This included 175 kidney transplants, 53 liver transplants, 16 heart transplants, 15 lung transplants and four pancreas transplants.

Speaking at the launch of Organ Donor Awareness Week, Carol Moore, CEO, Irish Kidney Association said, “We must always remember that without organ donation, there is no transplantation. In 2024, 84 families, in the most tragic of circumstances, selflessly consented to their loved one’s organs being donated. These individual acts of humanity have saved and transformed lives across Ireland and are an example to us all."

“It’s important to remember that only around one to two per cent of people die in circumstances where organ donation is medically possible, typically in hospital intensive care units. This statistic underscores just how rare and precious the opportunity for organ donation truly is. That makes every potential donor incredibly valuable and highlights why family discussion remains essential."

Dr Brian O’Brien, Clinical Director, Organ Donation Transplant Ireland, said, “While much of what defines modern medicine entails complex science and technological innovation, it is humbling that one of its most sophisticated frontiers is founded entirely on community, altruism and compassion. Organ donation, a gesture of kindness to strangers made in the bleakest of circumstances, encapsulates much of what is good about humanity."

Organ Donor Awareness Week commenced on Saturday and continues until May 17th with a range of awareness activities encouraging conversations in homes, schools, workplaces, clubs, and community settings. An Post is supporting the Donor Week campaign again this year, displaying stocks of donor cards and campaign posters throughout its network of post offices. Together with the Irish Pharmacy Union, several pharmacy chains, independent pharmacies, and many libraries around the country are also supporting this initiative. This is helping to drive community awareness and make a difference in the lives of the close to 600 people on transplant waiting lists in Ireland and their families.