A renowned surgeon, Asif Hasan, was deeply moved when he learned about the heart donor of Max Johnson, a prominent figure in the Mirror campaign. Hasan’s remarkable career, which began in 1991, has been instrumental in saving numerous lives.
During an event organized by the Newcastle Hospitals charity in collaboration with the Children’s Heart Unit Fund, Hasan, alongside bestselling author Dr. Rachel Clarke and Emma Johnson, Max’s mother, shared insights into the groundbreaking operation that led to a change in organ donation laws in England.
The legislation, named after Max and his heart donor Keira Ball, who tragically passed away in a car accident, has had a significant impact on promoting organ donation awareness. Dr. Clarke, inspired by the Mirror’s ‘Change the Law for Life’ initiative, penned the award-winning book ‘Story of a Heart,’ detailing Keira’s organ donation journey that saved Max’s life in 2017.
Reflecting on his work, Hasan emphasized the balance between caring deeply for patients while maintaining a professional approach to handle the emotional challenges in his field. Similarly, Dr. Clarke was moved by the touching reunion between Keira’s family and Max, highlighting the transformative power of organ transplantation.
Emma Johnson expressed gratitude to the medical team at the Freeman Hospital for their unwavering support for Max. Alongside Max’s father and brother, she has been actively involved in advocating for organ donation.
The ‘Change the Law for Life’ campaign successfully implemented an opt-out system for organ donation in England in May 2020. This system presumes individuals in England to be donors unless they choose to opt out, with the consent of loved ones always being sought before any donation.
For more information on organ donation, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.
