The surgeon who performed a life-saving operation 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 dating back to 1991, has been instrumental in saving numerous lives.
Asif Hasan played a crucial role in a groundbreaking operation that led to a change in organ donation legislation in England, named in honor of Max Johnson and his heart donor, Keira Ball. At 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 Max’s mother Emma Johnson, shared insights into the transformative surgery.
Dr. Clarke, inspired by the Mirror’s Change the Law for Life campaign, penned the award-winning ‘Story of a Heart,’ detailing the incredible journey of Keira’s donated organ that saved Max’s life in 2017. Hasan, praising Keira’s courage, emphasized the emotional impact of the story on him.
Discussing the challenges of his profession, Hasan highlighted the delicate balance between caring and maintaining professional detachment in the face of life-threatening situations. Dr. Clarke was touched by the emotional reunion of Keira’s family with Max, where they heard Keira’s heart beating in his chest, symbolizing the power of organ transplantation.
Emma Johnson expressed gratitude to the dedicated medical staff at the Freeman Hospital for their care of Max, as she and her family continue to advocate for organ donation. The Change the Law for Life campaign successfully introduced an opt-out system for organ donation in England in May 2020, marking a significant shift in donation policies.
Under the new law, individuals in England are presumed to be organ donors unless they opt out, with the consent of relatives always sought before any donation. For more information on organ donation, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk.