Grieving parents reveal nine-year-old daughters heart saved life of brave transplant boy Max John
A GRIEVING dad has told how his nine-year-old daughter's organs saved four lives - including a 10-year-old boy who waited eight months for a new heart.
Heartbroken Joe Ball, 35, watched on as ambulances drove off with little Keira's kidneys, heart, liver, and pancreas inside.
Joe was forced to make the heartbreaking decision to donate her organs after she was killed in a car crash last year.
One of the recipients of her organs was 10-year-old organ donation campaigner Max Johnson.
Joe told the Mirror: “My daughter gave her heart to Max. A gentleman in his 30s on the waiting list for two-and-a-half years got one kidney.
“A lady in her 50s got her other kidney, she had been waiting nine-and-a-half years.
“Her pancreas and liver went to another little boy.
“She helped to save four lives. I watched as the ambulances left the hospital with her organs, she was in the operating theatre for nine hours, and it was hard sitting there knowing it was Keira.
"She lives on, and that gives us great comfort now. I believe organ donation can make such a difference.
“If you can help others when your organs are no good to you any more, then why not do it?”
Max had been waiting for eight months for a new heart at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital after being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, which causes the heart to enlarge.
Proud mum Loanna added: “I’m so glad it has gone to a boy of Keira’s age.
“If there was a snail on the pavement on its side, she would put it safe.
“Her birthday is the week before mine and she had £10. She bought me presents from her brother and sisters. She would give her last.
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"When it came to organ donation, we knew that would be her wish. Max reminds me so much of my daughter.
“He is always smiling, a bouncy little boy, and that is exactly how she was, the most loving, happy child. I see her in Max.
"I get such comfort knowing he is doing so well.”
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