A WOMAN whose late-husband donated his organs to save lives is today backing Scotland’s new opt out system. 

Elaine Kennedy says David’s decision to give up his kidneys, liver and pancreas, helped her deal with the devastation of losing the “selfless” Lanarkshire man. 

David was only 43 when he passed away in March 2019 following an accident at work. 

Marking the change in the law around organ and tissue donation, nurse Elaine, 45, is now encouraging people to speak to their loved ones about the process. 

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The Uddingston woman said: “David was able to donate both his kidneys, his pancreas and his liver. 

“It’s bittersweet – you never want to find yourself in that position, but the fact that there’s three recipients and families out there who may have been given a quality of life they didn’t have before, has helped in our devastation.” 

She added: “You have these flippant conversations – as a diabetic I have to renew my driving license every three years, and as I looked at the box on the form asking me about organ donation, I asked David if he was an organ donor. 

“He said ‘no, but why not’, and that was that, he signed up to the Register.

“If I didn’t know what he wanted, it would’ve made it harder. Because of that conversation, myself and David’s family were able to honour his decision. 

“I had more time to digest David’s wishes than his family and I was clear about what he wanted to happen when I raised it with the doctors. 

“But after talking it through with them, in that moment, we all wanted to respect David’s wishes. 

“He was such a selfless and generous person in life, he wanted to make everyone happy and this was the last thing he could do for someone else.” 

Today’s change means that if people aged 16 and over haven’t recorded a decision about donation, they will be considered a possible donor if they die in circumstances in which they could donate. 

Glasgow Times: Lorraine Kelly supported our Opt for Life campaign Lorraine Kelly supported our Opt for Life campaign

People can record their decision to be a donor or to opt out on the NHS Organ Donor Register at any time. 

If people do nothing when the law changes, it will be assumed they agree to donate, unless they are in a group for whom the law does not apply.

It comes after the Glasgow Times successfully lobbied the law change as part of our Opt for Life campaign.

READ MORE: Glasgow warned to make organ donation choice ahead of law shift

Elaine, who had known David since they were four, added: “David was awarded the Order of St John for his donation and going to the ceremony, hearing the recipient stories was so inspiring. I think donating your organs is the most selfless thing you can do, but it’s got to be the right decision for you.” 

Visit organdonationscotland.org