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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Orlaith Clinton

Belfast man plans weekend tribute event after death of young daughter

When Sean Smyth's daughter Eimear became poorly after a stem cell transplant, he made a promise to her that he'd keep her legacy alive.

The West Belfast woman died when she was just 25-years-old - she passed away on June 27, 2019 after complications with a stem cell transplant.

Following on from her death, Eimear's Wish was formed, an organisation with the sole purpose of carrying out Eimear's dying wish - to tell the world that she had beaten cancer and for her family to raise Stem Cell Donor Awareness in Northern Ireland.

Read more: Belfast dad 'broken beyond repair' after daughter's death

Speaking to Belfast Live on Donor's Day, Sean explained how they will be raising awareness for stem cell, blood and organ donation this weekend.

He said: "Tomorrow morning, Saturday January 28, we are hosting a family event in the Falls Park at 11am for our second year in a row.

"People will take part in the traditional Falls Park 5K, so there is a run and a family walk. Anybody taking part can get treats, whether it be a donut, hot chocolate, tea, coffee, popcorn or slush puppies.

"It is all a bit of fun, and for anybody who raised £50, they will get a free running top and are entered into a draw to win a Gin hamper too. We just want to have some craic, and to raise awareness within the community.

"In West Belfast alone, we have found five donors since June - that is something we want to celebrate. We want this to be a positive event.

"The whole point about Donut for Donors Day is threefold. To give thanks to people who donate, to be grateful for having received a transplant, and lastly, to remember those people who died before a donor could be found or didn't survive the transplant.

"We do it with fun and love. My Eimear loved the colour pink, she loved coffee and she just loved donuts too. That's where this idea came from. Before she died, she told me 'daddy, get your a** out there and get as many people as possible to join the stem cell register' and that is what I am trying to do."

On Eimear's third anniversary in June, Sean shared with the Eimear's Wish community how his daughter's death left them "broken beyond repair".

At the time, he wrote: "It’s three years since you died. We are broken beyond repair and it hurts. But you have never left us.

"Your legacy has and will save lives and will continue to create hope for people with life threatening illnesses. Please help us fulfil Eimear’s dying wish and join the stem cell/bone marrow donor registry today.

"Help us create hope where there isn’t any."

Please follow this link for information on how to register with DKMS and here for Eimear's Wish.

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