By creator to www.impartialreporter.com
GRAHAM Dodds, the police officer who donated one among his kidneys to a whole stranger – a boy, saving his life – has been named this yr’s 999 Hero Award on the Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Eire Awards.
Joshua Dolan, from Enniskillen, had one kidney performing at 17 per cent and urgently wanted a kidney transplant.
Following an attraction in The Neutral Reporter, Graham acquired in contact, and on Might 18 the profitable operation happened on the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Kids.
Graham was bowled over when he was introduced because the winner, however mentioned he was delighted to select up the award, not only for himself however for Joshua as effectively.
“I at all times say the hero of the piece is just not me, it’s Joshua, for going via all of the issues he went via,” mentioned Graham.
“My bit was simple. I used to be knocked out for 4 hours, they did main surgical procedure and I used to be lacking an organ, however Joshua has had it very dangerous for a really very long time, and it was value it.
“I used to be delighted to win the award for each of us actually, as a result of it highlights Joshua’s story and in addition, actually importantly, it highlights dwell donation and altruistic donation.
“So hopefully it’ll encourage folks to donate to members of the family or as I’ve accomplished, to donate to somebody they don’t know.”
On the awards ceremony, Graham defined how he was simply blissful to be nominated and by no means as soon as anticipated to win.
“To be nominated for such an award by itself would have been sufficient, and it’s a actual honour.
“I assumed ‘I’ll go up right here as a finalist and that’s all I’ll be getting’, and I used to be very proud of that!
“So when the nominations have been learn out, I didn’t initially take it in. I solely type of realised when my title got here up on the display.
“I used to be up, collected the award, acquired my image taken, and I used to be again in my seat, and it was in all probability solely once I was again in my seat that I realised I had received the award!”
He believes successful the award shines a light-weight on the area people in addition to exhibiting the explanation he turned a police officer.
“Successful this award is a delight. To win it, and notably a 999 emergency providers award once I’m up towards such competitors, it’s professionally very rewarding, and an enormous honour.
“And the truth that I can deliver it right down to Fermanagh and Omagh – I feel it’s good the highlight isn’t at all times going to Belfast and the massive cities, it’s exhibiting what is going on in our rural communities.
“It reveals policing up in the suitable gentle, too. The rationale I volunteered was to assist folks wherever I can at no matter value.”
Graham remains to be recovering from the transplant operation, however is planning to be again on responsibility in September.
He mentioned medical doctors are proud of how he’s recovering, and in addition how effectively his kidney has responded to Joshua’s physique. To see this makes successful the award so particular for him, he says.
“As I mentioned on the occasion, all credit score to The Neutral Reporter, and native information. If The Neutral hadn’t taken the time to run this story, I wouldn’t have seen it, I wouldn’t be the place I’m now, and Joshua would in all probability be heading in the direction of ending his days.
“It’s an actual honour,” Graham added.
