A WOMAN who inspired hundreds of people to sign up as organ donors after surviving a double lung transplant has lost her fight for life.

Louise Davidson, 22, who suffered from cystic fibrosis, passed away last week more than two years after being saved by the operation.

The photographer was told in 2010 that she had no chance of survival unless a transplant match was found.

And she was just hours from death in May 2012 when doctors carried out the major operation after finding a last-minute donor.

Miss Davidson, of Paisley, Renfrewshire, later fronted a national NHS campaign to encourage others to sign up as organ donors.

She also posted a regular blog about her struggles with the genetic lung disease and tributes have poured in from all over the world since her death last Friday.

Close family friend Stuart Duffy broke the news to followers on her Facebook page who had received updates during her final days.

He said: "This is the update I did not want to post. It is with the heaviest of hearts that this update brings what we have feared for the last few days, Louise has passed away.

"I know some of you and I've read your accounts of your experiences with Louise over the years through her blog and on Facebook, so I know that you will feel this loss a lot! She kinda had a way of getting into your heart and staying there.

"I had talked to Louise about this event a few years ago, I asked her what message she would give if she didn't get the lung transplant. It was this; 'tell them to stop greeting and have a party'.

"She fought a battle that would have left most of us behind and she did it with such strength of character and amazing grace and dignity."

Her cousin Neil Crawford posted: "As some of my friends may already know we lost a massive part of our family, my beautiful cousin Louise Davidson. Cystic fibrosis robbed her of most of her life. I'm thankful for the 22 years we had with her.

"Breathe easy kid, love you forever."

Miss Davidson's friends are also encouraging people to sign up to the NHS Organ register to pay tribute to her.

A spokesman for NHS Blood and Transplant said: "We are very sorry to hear of the death of Louise and our thoughts are with her family and friends.

"There are currently around 10,000 people in need of a transplant and around 7,000 people on the transplant waiting list. Sadly, three people die every day in need of a transplant because there are not enough organs available.

"More donors are needed to save lives so talk to your family about your decision to donate and sign the NHS Organ Donor Register."

Speaking in 2012, Miss Davidson told how being saved at the last minute and coming through the nine-hour operation had given her a new lease of life.

She said: "Now I feel amazing. My whole life has totally changed. No one can believe how quickly I've recovered.

"I have so much energy, I can enjoy getting ready, doing my hair, putting on my makeup again -something I've not been able to do in nearly a year.

"I love being able to walk again - even walking along the road to the shop makes me feel great.

"I wake up every morning still not being believing how lucky I am and how much I owe to my donor.

"They gave me my life back."

Miss Davidson's funeral is to be held at Woodside Crematorium in Paisley this Thursday and she asked that all mourners wear bright colours. She also asked that a collection be held for the cystic fibrosis wards at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow and the Butterfly Trust, who provide support to people with the condition.