Organ donor families and transplant recipients gathered in Dublin today for their annual remembrance and thanksgiving service.
Hundreds of people attended the event which was held at the Church of the Holy Child in Whitehall in Dublin.
The event, organised by the Irish Kidney Association, is now in its 39th year.
The families said they know all about the impact of organ transplants - either received or donated.
Among the families present was the Coleman Coady family from Shannon.
Ten-year-old Dylan was killed earlier this year after being struck by a van.
"The subject (of organ donation) was brought up in school a couple of weeks beforehand and he expressed, through his mother, that he'd love to give his organs for somebody who might need them if ever he died," Bernard, Dylan's grandfather, explained.
The fact that Dylan, in his death, has gone on to help others has given the family some solace, he said.
"It was decided that his organs would be donated ... It was the best decision ever made ... People should consider giving their organs in the event of an accident ... I would highly recommend it," he said.
"We'll celebrate his life forever... I'm very, very proud of him," he said.
There were other tales of generosity and loss here today too.
Orla O'Malley from Cross, Co Mayo was 18 years old when she was killed in a car crash.
"Her heart, her two lungs, both her kidneys and her liver were donated," her mother, Dolores, said.
"It's a glimmer of life in what's a very dark time," she said.
"You just feel Orla's legacy lives on... She saved four lives. I was proud of her in life and I'm proud of her in her passing as well."
Also here today was Éilis Carlin.
Her 25-year-old son, Tony, died in July 2019.
"He was a young vibrant man," she said.
The decision to donate his organs was an easy one, she said, as they knew they were following his wishes.
"It took some of the sting out of the tragic circumstnaces of his loss. His legacy is something I'm really proud of," she said.
"On my darkest days, and there are many obviously having lost a child, I can reflect and it gives me a sense of hope and comfort."
People also came to today's event to give thanks.
Fourteen-year-old Lexi Murphy received a liver and a kidney eight years ago.
The benefits are clear, she said.
"I'm able to do stuff now that I wasn't able to do before the transplant. I'm very thankful and if it wasn't for them (the donor), I probably wouldn't be here," she said.
The demand for donations remains consistently high.
Currently, there are around 600 people waiting on the transplant list.
Those who gathered at today's event know the difference a donation can make.
