A 107-YEAR-OLD woman has become Scotland's oldest organ donor.
Transplant surgeons were able to remove the corneas of the elderly woman after her death to save the sight of a younger patient.
Lesley Hogan, of NHS Blood and Transplant revealed the donation had taken place as she attended at the launch of a bold new TV advert aimed at driving up donor registration rates.
The campaign 'We Need Everybody' aims to dispel some of the myths surrounding organ transplantation, such as old age being a barrier to donating.
Corneal transplants are successful sight-saving operations, with 93% of transplants functioning after one year.
By five years, 74% of transplants are still functioning and many will continue for many more years after that.
Kidneys have been transplanted from donors in their 80s.
Ms Hogan said: "It's the first time we have had a campaign which I think really will appeal to everyone. We are looking at different sectors of society, to represent everyone.
"This is modern Scotland. The message is, don't rule yourself out.
"Our oldest eye donor was 106.
"If you sign on the NHS Organ Donor Register we will always check it so you can be considered for organ and tissue donation whatever your age.
"Kidneys have been transplanted from donors well into their eighties and this has no doubt saved and transformed the lives of those on dialysis.
"Its a marvellous legacy to save someone life and you can do that well into old age. Older kidneys can work just as well as those from a 20 year old."
The first successful corneal transplant was carried out in Olomouc, Moravia, (Czech Republic) on December 71905.
They can be donated up to 24 hours after a patient dies.
Latest figures show that 540 people are waiting for a transplant in Scotland and 480 people across the UK died waiting for the call last year.
To join the NHS Organ Donor Register visit weneedeverybody.org
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