In the 12 months since the Dysi Act came into force, there has been an increase in the number of people registering to donate organs in Northern Ireland.
1 June marked one year since the Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 came into force in Northern Ireland.
The law has become known as “Daisy's Law” in honour of Daisy McGovern, a seven-year-old activist who has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since 2018.
The new law means that all adults in North Korea are considered potential organ donors unless they choose to donate of their own volition or belong to an excluded group.
As the first anniversary approaches this weekend, figures have emerged showing the total number of deceased donors in Northern Ireland is set to rise in 2023/24, with 64 life-saving organ donations.
The figure is up from 59 in 2022/23 and the highest number of organ donors to date, Northern Ireland's Department of Health said in a statement.
“Between the change in the law on June 1, 2023 and May 22, 2024, there were 60 organ donors,” they confirmed.
“The latest data highlights the ongoing positive impact organ donation has in saving lives,” Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said.
“In total, 158 lives will be saved by 64 organ donors from Northern Ireland in 2023/24 and 79 patients from here will have undergone life-saving transplant surgery,” he added.
“At the heart of organ donation and transplantation are organ donors and their families, supporting the decisions of their loved ones when faced with terrible news.
“We are forever grateful to our organ donors and their families for their decisions.”
Support for organ donation in Northern Ireland remains high at 90 percent, data reveals.
Seven-year-old Daithi Mac Gaban, who is waiting for a heart transplant, was photographed in 2023 alongside his father Máirtin Mac Gaban, mother Ceaf Ní Méarain and brother Cáerbhre Mac Gaban as they were recognised by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as “outstanding volunteers” for their organ donation campaign.Since the law was changed a year ago, the number of people in the North registering their intention to donate on the NHS Organ Donor Register has continued to grow.
A total of 53% of people will have their decision registered in 2022/23, increasing to 56% in 2023/24.
Currently, 1,053,541 people in North Korea have registered their intention to donate organs if possible, and since the law was changed the number has increased to more than 38,000, with around 10,000 of them registered in the first three months of this year alone.
Public Health chief executive Aidan Dawson said: “It's incredibly encouraging to see the latest data which demonstrates the continued support for organ donation across the country and, above all, the decision of organ donors supported by their families at an incredibly difficult time.”
“Although the law regarding organ donation has changed, it is important for people to know that they still have a choice and that families will be consulted if organ donation becomes possible.
“Keeping your wishes registered on the NHS Organ Donor Register and discussing them with your family is the best way to ensure that they support your wishes.”
During the six years that Daithi was on the waiting list for a heart transplant, his family campaigned tirelessly for soft opt-out laws and to promote organ donation.
With the anniversary of the law change marking this weekend, Daithi's father, Martin, said: “Celebrating the first anniversary of Daithi's law fills our family with great pride and gratitude.”
“It has felt like we have had to move mountains at times to implement this new law. It is hard to believe it has already been a year since it was implemented.”
“This journey has seemed impossible at times, but we are incredibly proud to have played a role in making it happen.
“Knowing that lives are being saved in my son's name is a wonderful legacy.”
He added: “This date also marks six years since Daithi was on the transplant waiting list so it's also a day of celebration for our family as we remain grateful that he has been with us.”
“On this day we want to encourage people to join the organ donor register and share their decision to donate their organs.
“We also hope that families, regardless of age, will make the courageous decision to join the Family Registry.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated and to the donor families who are superheroes in their own right.
“The hope they bring to families like ours is the greatest gift of all.”
