Organ donation law set to change following death of West Country girl

After Keira's death, her organs saved four lives. Credit: ITV West Country

Proposals for a change in the law on organ donation in England, which will presume consent unless people opt out, is set to be named after a little girl from Devon and a boy who received one of her organs.

Max Johnson's life was saved after receiving a heart transplant from Keira. Credit: ITV West Country

Health Minister Jackie Doyle-Price confirmed in 2018 that the Government would name the changes "Max's Law" after Max Johnson, a 10-year-old boy who was saved by a heart transplant from Keira Ball from Barnstaple.

Keira died in 2017 in a crash on the North Devon Link Road. Her mother Loanna says the fact that her organs saved the lives of four people, including Max, has helped her through her grief.

Keira's family established the charity, Inspired By Keira, to promote and raise awareness of organ donation. Credit: ITV West Country

In 2018 the Bill, which will see a move to an opt-out system, was given an unopposed second reading by MPs and has since undergone further scrutiny in Parliament.

Max Johnson, whose life was saved by one of Keira's organs, fronted a Daily Mirror campaign to change the law.

The Daily Mirror has since revealed that the new system is set to be introduced in 2020 after MPs vote on the plans.

Keira and Max's law is predicted to save an extra 700 lives a year.

If voted by MPs, the new law is predicted to save an extra 700 lives a year. Credit: ITV West Country

Inspired By Keira, the charity set up to raise awareness of organ donation, will continue to fundraise in 2019.