A West Belfast family has paid tribute to their wife, mother and grandmother through a cause she was passionate about.
Frances Smith, 56, passed away last month after a battle with kidney cancer and during the last year of her life, strangers improved her quality of life through blood donation.
Described by her community in Ballymurphy as a "loving, selfless, powerhouse of a woman, who dedicated herself to making life better for those around her", Frances' family are encouraging others to consider donating blood.
Her friends and family have now donated blood in her memory on her birthday.
Frances’ husband Marty said: "Frances was diagnosed with kidney cancer over a year ago, and even had her kidney removed, which give us such hope for that 'happy ever after' everyone dreams of in the face of a cancer diagnosis. It was not to be, as Frances’ cancer returned and not long after, she passed away peacefully surrounded by our family at home last month.
"Frances had remained hopeful throughout her struggle, as her quality of life had improved due to the many blood transfusions she had during that time. Somebody took the time to selflessly donate that blood, and we want to do the same in her memory.
"Today is Frances’ birthday, and she would have been 56. Frances always wanted to help others in everything she did, and I believe she would be so proud of the family today.
"Our grandson Dáithí has been waiting for the gift of a new heart for over three years and he has also benefited many times from donated blood in his short life.
"Like myself, Frances spent the last few years of her life raising awareness of organ donation through the Donate4Dáithí awareness campaign, in the hope that it would improve our wee Dáithí’s hopes of getting a heart transplant.
"We encourage everyone, that can, to consider donating blood. You are in and out in under 45 minutes, but the difference it can make to people’s lives is remarkable. One donation can potentially save the lives of up to three people.
"If Frances’ story can encourage even one person outside of our family to donate, then we have done her proud."
For more information or to register to donate blood, please follow this link.
