Iilona Nielson

I am nominating my daughter Iilona, as she has not only been a source of inspiration to me, but also all the family, community and even those throughout Northern Ireland. She has literally saved my life. No longer have I the need for dialysis 3 times a week (which costs the Health Service over £44,000 per year to provide, but only £5,000 to maintain with a new kidney) . As a devoted wife and mother of three children, all this was put aside and she donated a live, left kidney to me Robert, at the advanced age of 73. This required 4 hours of unnecesary surgery for her, with at least 6 months convalescence, before she would be free from aches and pains. Now she is scared for life. This was a selfless act that was reported on all across the Province by Radio and Newspaper, just over 3 months ago. There are those who considered this such an act of bravery that it has inspired some of the public to become live organ donors, thus blessing the lives of numerious people awaiting a life saving organ. All that aside her nephew Jason won 2 Gold Medals at the Beijing Paraylmpics. He is currently the World Paraylmpic Champion in both the 100 and 200 m sprints as well as the world champion in these events. Presently he has qualified in section 'B' for the main stream Olpympics and expects to qualify for the 'A' section later this year. This would be a world first as it has never ever been accomplished before. Iilona, one of life's unsung heroines. ((Check BBC NI News, kidneys)