Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
We are looking at improving situation for people like Max
Government in pledge on Mirror’s donor campaign
about it. It came across very clearly that there was allparty co-operation. ”Even if the law change takes a long time, it means transplants will be discussed and more people will register as donors.”
Max’s brother Harry, on his first trip to London from their home in Winsford, Cheshire, said: “I was really happy this was brought up in Parliament. It gives me confidence the law will be changed.”
Barnsley Central MP Mr Jarvis said later: “Max is a truly inspiring young boy who deserves every chance to live a fulfilling and productive life.
“A change in the law will increase the number of potential donors available to our Health Service. That’s why I’m supporting the Daily Mirror’s Change the Law for Life campaign.”
Mr Jarvis today leads a 90-minute Westminster Hall debate on moving to an opt-out system.
He said: “I remain confident that the law will be changed.”
Max sent a plea to the Prime Minister last week, saying: “Please change the law to save me.” No10 said Mrs May was keeping an eye on Scotland’s decision to introduce the reform.
Max, who has an enlarged heart and relies on a tiny pump to keep him alive, has spent the past six months in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
Yearly transplant figures have risen 20% in the past five years, reaching a record 4,753 in 2016/17.
A record 23.6million people are on the donor register, up by 4.9 million over five years. That is 36% of the population, compared with 30% five years ago.
But more than 90% are donors in countries overseas with the opt-out system.
Some 457 people died while on the active transplant waiting list last year. There are currently 6,389 people on the list.
One in 10 families in the past year has said no to loved ones’ organs being used even though the deceased was on the donor register.