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The historic organ donation bill today officially passed its final hurdle in Parliament - guaranteeing it will become law.

Max and Keira’s Law will replace England's "opt-in" organ donor system with an "opt-out" regime in a move that could save hundreds of lives every year.

Presumed consent could now come in to force as early as this year, accompanied by £18 million Government public awareness campaign.

The House of Lords today agreed the final wording of Max and Keira’s Law - named in honour of our poster boy Max Johnson, 11, and his nine-year-old heart donor Keira Ball.

The Bill could now get Royal Assent in as little as 24 hours and marks the start of a cultural shift in Britain.

(Image: Daily Mirror)

The Mirror pledges to continue our three year campaign and lead the national conversation in tackling the taboo around dying.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the Mirror: “Too many people lose their lives every year waiting for an organ.

“This legislation going through parliament today has the potential to save hundreds of lives every year and I am enormously proud that it will soon become law.

“This is a testament to the brave campaigning of families such as Max and Keira’s, and I pay tribute to them for their tireless work to highlight this vital issue.

“This new law will make a real difference to people across our country.”

Max’s dad Paul, 45, of Winsford, Cheshire, added: “It’s been a privilege to have been involved in such a noble cause. It is a wonderful legacy for Max and Keira. It will make a difference.”

(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Lord Philip Hunt, the bill’s sponsor along with MPs Geoffrey Robinson and Dan Jarvis, said it will be “the law of the land” within days – bringing 280 extra donors and 700 more transplants a year.

He added: “We had so much support. The Mirror played a fantastic role. But above all it is about Max and Keira, and all the people in future who will benefit.”

Fiona Loud, policy director of Kidney Care UK, represents the eight out of 10 people on the transplant waiting list who are waiting for a kidney.

She said: “This marks a point in the journey, not the end of the journey.

“Alongside this law change needs to be a culture shift whereby organ donation is seen as the natural thing to do.

“The Daily Mirror will continue to lead this conversation so that people who may never have thought of organ donation will have the conversation and see it as an amazing thing our society does and to be proud of.

“Dying and death is not something that most people chat about but bringing about this conversation is one way to address this taboo and transform lives.”

Dr John Chisholm, BMA Medical Ethics Committee chair, said: “We are delighted that the Organ Donation Bill in England has cleared its last hurdle in Parliament today.

“The BMA has been at the forefront of the campaign to move towards an opt-out system for nearly two decades. We firmly believe that an opt-out system, as one part of a broader strategy, is the best way to increase donation rates.

“This shift will allow us to build on the improvements that have already been made to the organ donation system, in order to maximise the number of lives that can be saved and transformed by an organ transplant.

“It is now essential that attention is given to publicising the change so that people have the opportunity to think about their wishes and to opt out of donation if they wish to do so.

“We also need to ensure that the NHS is given the resources needed to make this potential increase in donation a reality.”