THE memory of a young west Belfast woman was celebrated yesterday as people across the north came together to raise awareness of stem cell donation.
Donuts for Donors Day was organised by the family of Eimear Gooderham (25), who had battled Hodgkin Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, but died last year following complications from a stem cell transplant.
She had believed passionately in the importance of raising awareness of stem cell donation and to honour her legacy her family established the Eimear’s Wish campaign to continue her work.
In one of its first major events to mark Northern Ireland Stem Cell Donation Awareness Day yesterday, dozens of donut and coffee mornings were held to promote the campaign.
Donut company Taboo made 500 limited edition Eimear's Wish donuts with profits raised divided between three charities, Anthony Nolan, Action Cancer and Friends of the Cancer Centre.
Belfast lord mayor Daniel Baker held one of the events at City Hall yesterday.
He said it was important to raise "awareness and resources for all the amazing work being done to save lives".
"The more people on the stem cell donor and organ donor lists, the more lives we can save," he added.
Her father Sean said: "We thought the donuts for donors appeal would be something quirky and fun and would get people talking.
"It's about promoting stem cell and organ donation, we want to give other families hope."
Belfast City Hall was last night also illuminated in support of the campaign.
