The heart surgeon who performed life-saving surgery on Max Johnson, a prominent advocate for the Mirror campaign, was deeply moved upon learning about the heart donor’s story. Asif Hasan, a highly skilled surgeon with a career spanning since 1991, has significantly impacted numerous lives through his remarkable work.
During an event organized by the Newcastle Hospitals charity in partnership with the Children’s Heart Unit Fund, Mr. Hasan, alongside bestselling author Dr. Rachel Clarke and Max’s mother Emma Johnson, shared insights into the groundbreaking operation that led to a change in organ donation legislation in England. The law, named in honor of Max and his heart donor Keira Ball, was a tribute to their intertwined destinies.
Dr. Clarke, inspired by the Mirror’s Change the Law for Life campaign, penned the award-winning book ‘Story of a Heart,’ detailing the poignant journey of Keira’s donated organ that ultimately saved Max’s life in 2017 when they were both nine years old. Mr. Hasan, reflecting on his work, emphasized the balance between care and emotional detachment required in his profession to effectively combat diseases and handle the inherent risks.
The touching reunion of Keira’s family with Max, where they listened to her heart beating in his chest, left a profound impact on Dr. Clarke, who saw it as a powerful narrative of transplantation through Keira’s heart. Emma Johnson expressed gratitude to the medical team at the Freeman for their exceptional care of Max, as she and her family have been ardent advocates for organ donation alongside their ongoing campaign.
The Change the Law for Life initiative successfully implemented an opt-out system for organ donation in England in May 2020. Under this law, individuals are presumed donors unless they choose to opt out, with the consent of their loved ones always being a priority before any donation. For more information, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.