Liver transplant man says thank you with a fundraising ball

A Duleek couple who are celebrating a second chance at life since a life-saving liver transplant last year have decided to celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary with a fundraising ball in aid of the National Liver Transplant Unit at St Vincent"s Hospital. Former Meath County Councillor Shaun Lynch and his wife, Liz, will host The Ruby Ball on 8th November in the Newgrange Hotel, Navan. 'It is our way of saying thank you for a second chance at life,' they said. Shaun, who was a Fine Gael nember of Meath County Council from 1991 to 2004, became ill two-and-a-half years ago when he gradually starting losing energy and, by August last year, his condition had deteriorated so badly his only hope was a liver transplant. He was gradually getting worse and was referred to Dr Suzanne Norris in Dublin"s St James"s Hospital who happens to be his daughter-in-law"s sister, and she sent him for tests. 'I was then referred to Professor John Hegarty and put on the waiting list for a liver transplant and it was a case of wait and see. We hoped and prayed that something would turn up,' he said. 'I didn"t realise how bad I was getting, but I was losing weight and getting more debilitated all the time and then, one weekend last year, we were in Donegal and I collapsed.' He was immediately placed on the emergency liver transplant list and had quite a short wait for his transplant. 'I went on the emergency list on a Monday and got the call on the Thursday,' he recalled. His bag was packed when the call came and Liz drove him to Dublin for the operation that changed his life. 'Of course, I was nervous. You don"t know how it is going to turn out, but I was lucky to have got the chance. The sad thing was that somebody had to die for it to happen,' he said. He said this was the thing that was hardest for him to accept. 'Somebody else is gone and I am alive,' he said. Shaun was in hospital for two weeks and has not had to be readdmitted since. He is still on anti-rejection drugs which, he says, leave him feeling a bit strange, but he is delighted to be feeling so healthy again. 'The whole team were marvellous - the work of the nurses, doctors, surgeons and support staff was a real eye-opener. I could not complain about the service - and it is a public service,' he pointed out. The support of his family - wife Liz and children Ian, Ciara, Catherine and Sarah - was also a great help in getting him through. 'Liz and I are 40 years married this year, so we decided to organised this Ruby Ball to raise funds for the unit - it is the least we could do,' he said. Having spoken to the staff on St Brigid"s Ward where he was treated, he realised what they really needed were electronic beds for patient comfort. These cost in excess of €9,500 each and the Lynchs are hoping to raise enough funds to buy a number of them. Rebecca Wilkinson of Wilkinson"s Jewellers in Navan is sponsoring a ruby and diamond ring which will be auctioned on the night, and there will also be a number of other items for auction, as well as spot prizes. Music will be provided by the Michael McGoona Revival Band.