THE Leader of North Lanarkshire Council is backing the Evening Times’ opt-out for life campaign on donor registration.

Councillor Jim McCabe said: "The Evening Times has done a great deal to highlight the important issue of organ donation and I’m delighted to support the campaign.”

The proposed Organ and Tissue Donation (Scotland) Bill, if successful, would change the current opt-in system of organ donation in Scotland to a soft-opt out.

Mr McCabe’s announcement comes as part of National Transplant Week, which North Lanarkshire Council is supporting as part of the run up to the area hosting the British Transplant Games in 2017.

He added: "Organ Donation Scotland is aiming to attract 2,015 new registrations throughout the seven days - the equivalent of approximately one Scot joining every five minutes, which is the time it takes to register. Until an opt-out system is introduced then the best thing we can do is register as a donor.

"In 2017 North Lanarkshire will host the British Transplant Games and we're hoping the publicity around the event will encourage people to sign up at www.organdonationscotland.org

"We understand that if it was not for people signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register there would be no Transplant Games.

"That is one of our many challenges. NL2017 will deliver an array of awareness campaigns, at local level, to educate and raise awareness of what the NHS Organ Donor Register is.

“Our aim is to dispel the many myths of organ donation.

“My good friend, the late, great, former councillor Jim Foley had his life extended by around ten years thanks to an organ donation and every one of his friends and family were truly grateful for each extra minute they were able to spend in his wonderful company.”

Less than one per cent of deaths in Scotland occur in circumstances where the person is able to donate their organs, so the more people that register, the more likely someone will be able to get the life-changing transplant they are desperately waiting for.

Every registration and every family conversation about organ donation wishes could potentially save a life and give hope to the 560 people in Scotland who are currently waiting.

Mr McCabe continued: "By signing up to the organ donor register, you could potentially save up to seven lives."

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit www.organdonationscotland.org