Mum’s heartbreaking plea for a change in organ donation laws before it’s too late for her battling nine-year-old son
Brave Max Johnson suffers from a crippling heart disease — and he desperately needs an organ donation
A MUM is begging for a major change to organ donation laws to help her severely ill son who suffers from a debilitating heart disease.
Nine-year-old Max Johnson has dilated cardiomyopathy, meaning his life relies on complex medical machinery and a permanent stay in hospital.
Mum Emma, 47, is calling for a nationwide "opt out" clause which would mean every eligible Brit would automatically be enrolled as a donor unless they make a point of removing themselves from the register.
Such a move would massively increase the availability to docs of organs that could help save thousands of lives every year.
It is already in place in Wales and this week it was announced that the Scottish government would roll out the policy in response to a survey that found overwhelming public support.
For Max, it could see him given a new heart to help him on his way to becoming "fit as a fiddle" — as he was before being struck down with his life-changing disease last August.
Emma told : "We watched him deteriorate physically and spiritually very quickly.
"It wasn't long before they had to perform open heart surgery to fit the mechanical left ventricular assist device.
"It is known as a bridge to transplant. Max has been in hospital for over six months.
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"For five of those, he's been waiting for a heart - it just hasn't come yet."
Dad Paul, 44, added: "The left side of Max's heart relies on a mechanical pump and the right side is so severely impaired it is supported by drugs.
"Time is of the essence."
The paper is campaigning for a change in organ donation laws.
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