Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson has announced she wants to see the Assembly change the law governing organ donation to help save lives.
The Upper Bann MLA has announced she is introducing a Private Members Bill at Stormont to move to an ‘Opt-Out’ system of organ donation.
Mrs Dobson has been a long-term supporter and advocate of increasing the number of signatories on the Organ Donor Register.
Announcing her move to change the law on the fourth anniversary of her son’s transplant Mrs Dobson said: “This is a deeply personal day for my family. Mark has received the precious gift of life, but sadly for some this gift comes too late, or not at all.
“As a mother I fought hard for my son, but as a politician I will fight just as hard for everyone else, because everyone deserves the chance of a new life. However, the fact remains that people needlessly die every year while enduring the wait for a suitable organ to be found.
“A simple change in law can make a massive difference in practice, for patients and for their families. The change I am proposing will help to save lives. Moving from the present ‘Opt-In’ to a new ‘Opt-Out’ system takes organ donation to the next level.
“It is vital that we increase the availability of organs for those who need them and the facts show that an ‘Opt-Out’ system will achieve this, giving more people a fighting chance of life.
“I believe I have a duty to use my families personal experience of organ donation, through my role as an MLA at Stormont to make things better for people – now and in the future. No-one can know when they may need an organ to save their lives, I believe that the law should be changed to make it easier for all of us, if that time came.
Mrs Dobson met recently with constituent and family friend Justin Weir from Donaghcloney at the Renal Unit in Daisy Hill Hospital. Like so many others, Justin endures the three times a week routine of undergoing dialysis. He is fully supportive of a change in the law and is helping Jo-Anne to promote her Bill.
He said: “Eleven of my family members have been affected by kidney disease and this leaves a cloud of doubt hanging over our younger family members. Knowing that more organs would be available would help and go some way to alleviate our worries for their future.
“We are delighted to have someone like Jo-Anne who has personal experience of this issue and can empathise with what we as patients and families go through every single day.
“I applaud her for her courage in taking on the system to help change the law and make families like mine have a brighter future and a greater chance of life.”
Mrs Dobson concluded: “This issue is much bigger than party politics and I am reaching out to politicians from all political parties to join with me to give the gift of new life. To change the law to make life better for dialysis patients, for worried families and for the future.
“Of course, anyone who does not wish to donate their organs after their death can easily opt out of the system. However people should think very carefully before they do so and ask themselves a very simple question – if you are prepared to accept an organ to save your life – are you prepared to give an organ to save the life of another?
“I pray that the life which my son has received can be available to anyone who needs it, and this is why I believe we need change.”