A Fife man who had a double lung transplant is backing an organ donor register campaign.
A television advertising campaign featuring transplant recipients who have stripped off has been launched underlining the importance of organ donation.
The We Need Everybody campaign has been backed by Fifers who have had and are awaiting life-saving transplants.
Figures show that every day in the UK someone dies waiting for an organ transplant and 540 people in Scotland are waiting.
The NHS organ donor register allows people to sign up to give their organs if they die in circumstances in which they can be transplanted to another person.
The face of the campaign is Gordon Hutchison, 26, of East Kilbride, who received a transplant at the age of 13 after being born with a congenital heart defect.
John Coyle, 47, of Cowdenbeath, has given his support to the call for more people to join the register.
He said: “I don’t think people realise what organ donation means if they don’t know anyone who has been touched by it.
“That’s why I want to back the campaign and help raise awareness.”
John had just months to live when he underwent a double lung transplant four years ago.
He said: “It’s up to each individual but I feel that if you would accept an organ, then you should be willing to give one.”
Currently 43% of Scotland’s population is on the register but only 1 in 100 death in the country happen in circumstances where organs can be donated, making growing the register vital.
Increasing registrations is vital, as less than one per cent of deaths in Scotland happen in circumstances where the person is actually able to donate their organs.
Aileen Campbell, minister for public health and sport, said: “The reality is that there are more people waiting for an organ transplant than there are suitable donors.
“Last year in Scotland 35 people died waiting on a vital organ transplant, and for the 540 people currently listed for transplant, the wait goes on.
“There are many reasons people haven’t joined the register, such as thinking they’re too old, no one would want their organs, or they’ve simply not got round to it.
“This campaign is about driving home that everyone has it in them to save a life – like Gordon’s.”
To join the NHS organ donor register visit weneedeverybody.org.
