A CO Down man who suffered kidney failure aged just nine has appealed for people to "be a hero, be a donor".
Conor Patton from Banbridge was on dialysis for more than two years before receiving a kidney transplant from his father John in 2005.
Now aged 29, he said his life was transformed and to mark World Kidney Day has spoke out to explain "transplantation really does change lives".
Figures show that around 78 patients are awaiting a kidney transplant in Northern Ireland.
More than 4,600 people, including nearly 100 children, across the UK are currently waiting for that lifesaving call.
Mr Patton said since receiving his kidney transplant, he has been able to "live life to the full".
"I received my transplant 17 years ago from my dad and haven't looked back since," he said.
"I've achieved some wonderful things in my life so far, best of all a loving partner and an amazing three-year-old son to top everything off.
"I've been to a number of British Transplant Games and to the World Transplant Games in Australia which was pretty awesome.
"If it wasn't for my transplant, 'the gift of life', none of this would have been possible."
Mr Patton added: "Transplantation really does change lives. Be a hero, be a donor".
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is also encouraging people to talk about their organ donation decision and to consider living kidney donations.
People can donate a kidney in life to a particular individual - a relative, friend or someone they know who is in need of a transplant - or choose to donate anonymously where their kidney will either go to a high priority patient on the transplant list or create a chain of transplants via the UK living kidney sharing scheme.
Living donation is not for everyone and some people are not suitable donors, so the majority of kidney patients will still be saved by a deceased organ donor.
But the PHA said it remains extremely important to tell your family about your organ donation decision to help those on the waiting list.
Even though the law around organ donation in Northern Ireland will change to an opt out system next Spring 2023, many people are not aware that families will still always be consulted before organ donation goes ahead.
For more information, please visit: www.organdonationni.info or call 0300 123 23 23.
