Dáithí’s Law: New organ donation legislation comes into effect
All adults in Northern Ireland will now be considered potential organ donors unless they choose to opt-out or are in an excluded group.
From Thursday June 1, a new organ donation law comes into effect in Northern Ireland.
The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) legislation, known as ‘Dáithí’s Law’ in honour of six-year-old Dáithí Mac Gabhann, will change the way consent is granted.
The new legislation is to increase the current number of organs available to people in need of a transplant.
Dáithí has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since 2018 after being born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
During this time his family have worked tirelessly to campaign for a move towards soft opt-out law and to promote organ donation through their page 'Donate for Daithi'.
Dáithí was placed on the waiting list for a new heart on the June 1 five years ago.
Dáithí’s dad, Máirtín, said: “As a father, there are few moments in life that can compare to the pride and joy I feel for my son Dáithí on this momentous day.
"After years of tireless campaigning and fighting for this cause, Dáithí's Law is finally going to be in effect.
"It's hard for me to put into words just how much this means to our family and to the organ donation community."
According to the Department of Health, 96 patients received a life-saving transplant from a deceased donor last year and Northern Ireland had 59 donors who enabled 140 life-saving transplants across the UK.