SCOTLAND'S longest-serving councillor ended her career in local government with an emotional speech praising the Evening Times' Opt for Life campaign.

Glasgow councillor Jean McFadden, 71, seconded a motion raised in support of our campaign calling for a change to an opt-out system of organ donation in Scotland.

In a moving address to councillors at the City Chambers, Councillor McFadden described how the campaign is very close to her heart.

Her husband John died in 1991 after years spent on dialysis and two kidney transplants.

In the years before his death he led his own campaign, Second Chance which called for a move to an opt-out system.

Councillors unanimously backed a motion yesterday asking Glasgow City Council to back our drive calling for such a change.

Councillor McFadden retires this year after 41 years service to the people of Glasgow. She was awarded the CBE in 1992.

She said: "It is fitting that the last time I speak in this chamber I'm speaking about a cause that was so close to my husband's heart.

"He died in February 1991 but if he is up there he will be delighted about this motion.

"About 10 years into my marriage my husband developed kidney failure. Eventually his kidneys failed completely and he was put on to dialysis.

"I remember it was four hours a day three time a week and it pretty well destroyed his working life.

"Then he got a transplant but unfortunately it was rejected and he had no relatives that could donate so it was back on dialysis.

"He set up an organisation to campaign for exactly what the Evening Times is talking about.

"I suggested we call it Second Chance. It was supported by doctors, MPs, medical groups.

"John was very conscious of the inadequacies of opt-in."

A link to our petition calling for a change in Scotland's organ donation laws has now been added Glasgow City Council's website.

More than 5000 people have already signed it, which means we have more than half-way to reaching our target of 10,000 signatures.

The council has also agreed to encourage residents and employees to join the current donor register, to publicise support for the campaign and to send a copy of the motion to every MSP.

Councillor Alex Dingwall, who raised the motion, said: "People sometimes question the future value of printed media.

"It is in strong community campaigns which seek to change and better communities that the printed media still shows its worth.

"Currently we have 10,000 people waiting for organ donations and each day three of them die. That's not a situation that any of us would want to see go un-addressed.

"What presumed consent doesn't do it take away choice, it just means people have to consciously decide whether they want their organs donated after death.

"In Scotland we have been seen as the leaders, in terms of the smoking ban.

"There is a quote by Richard Lewis, the Welsh Secretary of the BMA. It is: 'Let's show that we still care deeply about the health of our nation and that we are willing to lead with bold initiatives whilst other countries dither and waver'.

"I don't want Scotland to dither, I want it to be a leader in this."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk