Powerful photographic exhibition aims to raise awareness of paediatric organ donation

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Lilian Seenoi Barr, is encouraging people to go along and view a powerful photographic exhibition currently running at the Alley Theatre which aims to raise awareness of paediatric organ donation.

Mayor Barr recently visited the exhibition entitled ‘The Call’ at the Strabane venue. She was incredibly touched by the images she saw which depict 20 photos of children from across the UK who are waiting on an organ transplant to save their lives.

The Mayor explained: “The Call is an incredibly powerful display which highlights the life-changing impact of organ donation and emphasises the importance of families having open conversations about this vital topic.

“Featuring deeply thought-provoking images of children waiting for the one phone call that could transform their lives forever, the exhibition is both inspiring and humbling.

“To see these innocent faces so dependent on other people in order to be able to lead the life they should have, really puts into perspective why we all need to get registered on the Organ Donation Register, and that we all have the conversation with our loved ones so they know our wishes.”

Award-winning photographer Debbie Todd captured the images of the children in an exhibition created by Red Sky Foundation, a charity which raises vital funds for babies, children and adults, who are born with or develop heart conditions and who are in need of cardiac care, by providing lifelong support to them and their families.  

The Public Health Agency first brought the exhibition to Northern Ireland in June this year, which also enabled young organ donation campaigner Dáithí Mac Gabhann to be featured with the other children.

Across the UK there are around 7,900 people in need of a transplant and awaiting the gift of life through organ donation. 280 of these are children – waiting for ‘The Call’. There were just 39 paediatric donations in the last year in the UK, and only 252 paediatric transplants received by UK/NI patients. The overall consent rate for paediatric donation was 38%. 

The acute need for organs for donation in children is demonstrated most clearly by those requiring an urgent heart transplant – their waiting period is 2.5 times longer than adults on average.

As well as highlighting the urgent need for paediatric organ donation, the aim of the exhibition is for the photographs to encourage people to consider joining the NHS Organ Donor Register as a whole family, regardless of age.

Derry City & Strabane District Council Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr is pictured in The Alley Theatre for the launch of 'The Call' exhibition, which is aimed at raising awareness around organ donation in children. Joining the Mayor is Dr Tom Frawley, Chair of Western Trust and Organ Donation Committee, Mary Hayes, Specialist Nurse, Organ Donation (Altnagelvin), Noelle Melarkey, Specialist Nurse, Organ Donation (South West Acute Hospital). In the featured picture is young Dáithí Mac Gabhann, who is on the waitiing list for a heart transplant since 2018 (over 2000 days).

Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency said: “The conversations generated by this exhibition will help to open up the sensitive topic of paediatric organ donation and aims to encourage families to consider registering decisions for the whole family.”

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You can register an organ donation decision for everyone in your family at www.organdonationni.info. Whatever you decide, remember discuss it with loved ones. 

The exhibition is open until Friday, January 10 2025 at the Alley Theatre, Monday-Saturday, 10.00am - 4.30pm, and entry is free.