A WINSFORD mum who fought to save the life of her son is to tell her family’s amazing story at Winsford Library.
Max Johnson was only eight years old when he suddenly fell ill through dilated cardiomyopathy, and he was told that he desperately needed a heart transplant to survive.
The now 11-year-old is only alive today thanks to organ donor Keira Ball, a nine-year-old girl who tragically lost her life in a car crash.
Emma Johnson, Max’s mother decided to share her family’s rollercoaster of pain, anguish, pride, joy and euphoria by writing a book to encourage more people organ donors.
And it is this book, called ‘Golden Heart’, that Emma will be speaking about when she sits down at Winsford Library later this month.
“We found it very cathartic writing the book, as so much of what was swimming around in our mind, could be put down on paper,” she said.
“This helped us to process what had happened, cope better with the ‘chronic stress’ of our situation and come to terms with our ‘new normality’.
“We want to raise awareness about organ donation and emphasise the incredible ‘second chance’ that organ donation bestows, through the power of a real life touching human story.”
Max Johnson
The book will also tell the story of how Max became the poster boy for a national campaign that successfully changed the law on organ donation.
New legislation, known as Max and Keira's Law, will come into effect next year, when consent will be presumed unless people opt out.
Another aspect of Max’s journey that the book will detail is the close relationship that the Johnson family have built with Max’s donor family.
Louise Gittins, Cheshire West and Chester Council leader and cabinet member for wellbeing, added: “I am delighted Emma is able to come to Winsford Library to share her remarkable and moving story in her hometown.
“Her book raises awareness about the importance of organ donation and how it can truly transform lives.”
The event will take place at Winsford Library on Wednesday, November 13 at 6.30pm.
Tickets cost £3 including refreshments and are available at the library or via ticketsource.co.uk/cwaclibraries.
Copies of the book will be available to buy at the event.
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