Suzanne Duncan has hailed it as a “great legacy” in memory of her campaigning husband Andrew.
Mrs Duncan, whose husband sadly passed away in 2014 with a hereditary heart condition, said it was a “fitting legacy” for him as he had campaigned many years for a change in the system here.
A total of 11 people here died last year while awaiting an organ transplant.
There are currently 115 people currently on the transport list.
Health Minister Robin Swann yesterday launched a 10-week consultation on an opt-out system for organ donation.
It would mean that adults here would automatically become donors, unless they specifically said they didn’t want to donate their organs.
If introduced, it would bring the North of Ireland into line with other parts of the UK – the law in England changed to a ‘soft’ opt-out system earlier this year.
Suzanne told the Belfast Telegraph the news is “bittersweet” for her family, as Andrew, who suffered from dilated cardiomyopathy – a genetic condition passed down in families – isn’t here to enjoy the news himself.
Andrew, who played the bagpipes and was a member of an Ulster Scots band, passed away six years ago at the age of 38 after waiting in vain for 15 years for a transplant.
But she said it is positive news for their two children, Aimee (21) and Robbie (19), who both carry the same recessive gene for the condition as their father.
The Duncan family have long called for the opt-out rule, taking part in various British Heart Foundation (BHF) NI awareness campaigns.
Said Suzanne: “If Andrew was alive hopefully he would have had his transplant.
“He would have had said it was an excellent step forward for anyone waiting for a transplant of any description.
“It’s a great legacy he has left and obviously it has been six years since he died. It’s a long time coming and it’s a brilliant step forward. I hope it won’t be too long before we get the actual law.”She added: “It does feel bittersweet but hopefully this will help my own children in the future.
“Robbie and Aimee both have the recessive gene. They’re on heart medication.
“Anyone in Andrew’s family who has had the gene has developed dilated cardiomyopathy.
“They’re just so pleased to hear the news.”
Head of BHF NI Fearghal McKinney, said that with the current shortage of donors, the cnanger to the legislative e could lead to more people receiving life-saving transplants every year.
You can take part in the organ donor opt-out consultation by clicking on this link: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/organ-donation
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