When Ella,10,donated her organs she was treated with amazing respect.. a nurse even held her hand

A FAMILY has told of the heartbreaking final moments they spent with their dying daughter before they donated her organs, which saved the lives of five children.

Ten-year-old Ella Thatcher’s sudden death from an epileptic seizure meant her heart, lungs, liver, pancreas and kidneys were used to help others.

It comes as a historic Organ Donation Bill is set to become law today with the granting of royal assent. Known as Max & Keira’s Law, the Mirror-backed move will see an opt-out system introduced, where consent to donate is assumed unless otherwise stated.

Ella suffered from a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome. Her family thought it was under control after her seizures reduced from 55 a month to one every six months. But last year she suffered a devastating attack at their home in Hurstpierpoint, near Brighton, and she stopped breathing.

Paramedics revived her before she was transferred to the specialist Evelina London Children’s Hospital in South London.

Her mum, Anna Thatcher, told the Mirror about the moment the doctor delivered the worst-possible news: “He told us Ella had swelling on the brain and was essentially brain dead. We were just stunned.”

The next morning, Anna and dad Mike broke the news to her siblings – Oliver, 13, and Mia, eight.

Each of them spent some time alone with Ella before they said their goodbyes.

Anna said: “She had to be declared brain dead by two doctors.

“We asked to be in the room when they had to turn the oxygen off to check she cannot breathe for herself. We were holding her hand. Organ donation was the first thing we thought of when we found out there was nothing we could do. Before they took her away, I was able to lie next to her.

“The nurse was amazing and agreed to hold her hand throughout the surgery.

“When she came back, she looked peaceful. It was all done with so much respect. Ella had severe special needs but

OVER the past two years, as we have tried to get this law changed, I’ve taken so much inspiration from donor families.

They go through so much, while the support nurses are amazing and so sensitive. What is really striking is the families have she was happy. She was friendly and very affectionate. We still miss her intensely.”

Anna, a principal at a language school, added: “We didn’t want anyone else to feel like we did. Because of Ella, five families don’t have to plan funerals. I would say to any other parents – your loved one isn’t there any more, but you can stop someone else feeling how you are now.

“It will never bring them back, but to know they have saved other lives is a tremendous comfort. The thought of such pride in the fact that their loved one has saved lives.

I started in this journey when I met a constituent who lost her daughter waiting for a kidney others walking around with a part of Ella is a reminder that she is not forgotten.”

The Organ Donation Bill becomes law today after a three-year Mirror campaign.

It is expected to save hundreds of lives every year.

It will be named Max and Kiera’s Law, after heart transplant recipient and Mirror campaigner Max Johnson, 11, and donor Keira Ball, nine.

transplant. She then donated her kidney, and that inspired me.

What I want to say to all Mirror readers is talk to your family and friends so they know your wishes. Many healthy organs are wasted because relatives don’t know.

This law will mean families are still consulted. I’d like to thank the Daily Mirror for everything it has done to raise awareness about organ donation.

But the biggest thank you goes to the donor families, who are our inspiration. We can’t thank you enough for what you do.