In 2020 the law surrounding organ donation in England changed. It is now an opt out system, meaning that all adults in England are considered to have consented to become organ donors when they die, unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.
This change in law, came about thanks to the tireless campaigning efforts of Heart Hero Max Johnson who recieved his gift of life when his nine year old donor Keira sadly died, and her family made the difficult decision to donate her organs. This decision went on to save the lives of four people, including Max.
Heart Hero Max, received a life-saving heart transplant aged nine and became a committed campaigner for organ donation.
Max was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy; an incurable disease of the heart muscle and unfortunately found himself on the heart transplant list. He spent eight months at the Freeman Hospital’s Children’s Heart Unit whilst he waited.
Following the diagnosis, Max’s parents were devastated.
Dad Paul says: “Max met several children whose wait for a transplant was sadly too long. He wanted to help, and be part of something that could stop it happening.”
Max’s gift of life came from a young girl named Keira, who passed away aged just nine years old.
Her parents made the selfless decision to help others through their own tragedy.
“The gift Keira gave will be remembered by our family for ever” Emma – Max’s mum
As Max recovered he continued to campaign. He became a key voice in raising awareness of the need for more families to consent to organ donation.
In 2018 the government announced that the law around organ donation would be changing and would be commonly referred to as Max’s Law, in recognition of all the campaigning Max and his family have done.
Max announced he wanted Keira’s name to be added. The Bill received Royal Assent on 15 March 2019 and Max and Keira’s Law was enacted in England from 20 May 2020.
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