A teenager, who was the inspiration behind a law change on organ donation following a Mirror campaign, recently celebrated his 18th birthday. Max Johnson expressed profound gratitude to the family of the young girl, Keira Ball, whose heart now beats in his chest thanks to a transplant when he was nine years old at Newcastle Freeman Hospital. The Prime Minister at the time, Theresa May, took action after reading about Max’s wait for a donor in The Mirror, leading to the introduction of new legislation to promote organ donation.
The law, part of the ‘Change the Law for Life’ initiative, came into effect five years ago and is expected to save numerous lives annually. Officially named Max and Keira’s Law in May 2020, it automatically enrolls adults in England as organ donors unless they choose to opt out. This eliminates the need for carrying donor cards.
Max commemorates Keira on special occasions like Christmas, birthdays, and the anniversary of his life-saving operation in August 2017. His recent 18th birthday was marked by a celebration with friends, including his first legal pint. Max has transitioned to adult services at the Freeman Hospital, impressing his mother Emma with his resilience in overcoming life’s challenges.
Keira’s father, Joe, made the altruistic decision to donate her organs after she tragically passed away in a car accident in 2017, leading to the transplantation that saved Max’s life alongside three others. Max’s transplant procedure was featured in a groundbreaking documentary in 2018, showcasing the first live transplant on TV.
Reflecting on his experience, Max commended the generosity of the Ball family and acknowledged the pivotal role of The Mirror in influencing the new legislation. To learn more about organ donation in the UK, click on the provided link.