MAX’S LAW VICTORY LIFE-SAVERS
Prime Minister praises Mirror organ donation fight and inspirational Max as Government changes the law to an opt-out system
THERESA May has hailed the Mirror’s transplant boy Max Johnson and our battle to change the organ donor law.
The PM said: “The Mirror’s campaign is a big reason we are closer to passing Max’s Law, inspired by a very brave young man.”
Max, 10, said he is “chuffed” about the tribute. The Government expects the opt-out donor system in England will come into force in 2020.
DELIGHTED Max Johnson says the new opt-out organ donation system means the girl who saved his life will always be remembered.
Keira Ball, nine, died after a car accident. But her heart was given to Max who has fronted the Mirror’s Change the Law for Life campaign.
The Government has released details of what the donor system – to be known as Max’s Law – will look like, and said it should come into force in 2020.
Max, 10, said: “It is really good to know that it is going to change.
“They are going to make sure everyone knows about it first – that is a very good idea. It will be Keira and Max’s law, so she will never be forgotten.”
The Mirror’s campaign called for everyone to be a potential organ donor unless they had chosen not to.
Wales already has that system and Scotland has agreed to follow suit.
Details of proposals for England have been revealed by the Government. The wishes of families and next of kin will still be respected, so organs will not be removed without their backing. Theresa May told the Mirror: “Our NHS is world class, yet people are still dying every day because of a shortage of organ donors.
“That’s why we want to increase donation rates and make it easier for everyone to record their wishes, whatever their preference.
“The Mirror’s campaign has played a significant role in bringing organ donation to the forefront of public debate.
“[This] journalism is a big reason we are closer to passing Max’s Law, inspired by a very brave young man.”
There will be a publicity campaign next year to make people aware the changes would mean everyone in England will be presumed to be an organ donor unless they state otherwise.
The plans prompted the biggest ever public response to a Government consultation on a law change.
Health minister Jackie Doyle-Price said: “We’ve had 17,000 responses, which is unprecedented.
“This is an issue that has captured the public’s imagination with overwhelming support for the changes.”
She added they hope the proposed new system would save as many as 700 extra lives every year.
Max, of Winsford, Cheshire, who said he is “chuffed” at the tribute from the Prime Minister, needed a transplant because of an enlarged heart.
After waiting for months, he had the life-saving surgery last August at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. He spent the first anniversary of the transplant with donor Keira’s family.
And in an emotional speech at a fundraising event for a charity in Keira’s name, Max said: “I want to say a massive thank you to the amazing Ball family.
“They saved my life. They gave me a second chance... The beautiful Keira died in a car crash a year ago and there will always be a dark cloud above us from that dreadful moment.
“I’ll make the most of my life, going for adventures and enjoying every minute. Keira will always be there with me.”
The charity, called Inspired by Keira, is
I’ll make the most of my life, enjoying every minute. Keira will always be there with me
MAX JOHNSON ON HIS GRATITUDE TO THE GIRL WHOSE HEART SAVED HIS LIFE
raising awareness of organ donation. The schoolgirl’s train fitter dad Joe said Max would always be part of the family, who are from Barnstaple, Devon.
Max’s parents Emma, 48, and Paul, 45, hailed the new organ donor law as “absolutely wonderful news”.
Civil servant Paul said: “What a result for the Mirror. It has led the way. Some media outlets suggested that unless you opt out they take your organs.
“But we know that with this law, donation will remain a gift.”
He said the wait for a donor heart for Max was awful, adding: “To not know for nine months if your precious son is going to survive is the worst pressure to possibly imagine.” Keira’s mother Loanna, 34, a fulltime mum to three kids, said the new law meant her daughter’s legacy will live on.
Under the system individuals would be able to state religious and cultural beliefs to ensure they are respected.
Children will be exempt, as well as those without the capacity to consent.
People would be able to opt out using the NHS Organ Donor Register. If a family strongly object, an organ will not be taken.
MPs will be asked to vote on the plans this year. Mrs May announced in October she intended to bring in an opt-out system.
In February the private members’ bill on the changes cleared its biggest hurdle by passing its second Commons reading. ■ www.facebook.com/inspiredbykeira/ ■ Tell your family you want to donate and then join the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk