AN MSP has paid moving tribute to his dead father as he called for an opt-out system of organ donation in Scotland.
Mark Griffin’s dad Francis died in 2007 at the age of 47 just days after a heart operation, following a ten-year wait for an organ transplant.
He left behind his wife and their four children, the youngest of whom was just 13.
Mr Griffin, who represents Central Scotland, was one of a number of MSPs to share personal stories as they voted through the first stage of the Human Tissue (Authorisation) Bill.
This would see the law changed to require people to specify if they do not want their organs to be donated after death.
The Scottish Labour MSP said: “Almost 12 years ago, a man received the phone call he’d been waiting for, for more than ten years.
“He was told that a transplant heart was available, and that he should come into hospital to prepare for his operation.”
He continued: “That man and his family made the trip to the hospital and said their goodbyes that day, full of hope that the operation would lead to a much better quality of life. Unfortunately that was not the case.
“After the operation, he was placed in intensive care as expected, but the hoped-for recovery just didn’t happen.”
He added: “A matter of days after the surgery, he died at the age of just 47 – a young man given life expectancy in this country.
“He left behind a wife and a family of four children – two boys, two girls. The oldest was 22 and the youngest lost her dad at the age of 13.
“Today he would have been 59. He’s missed the university graduations and weddings of his children – significant birthdays, anniversaries and the birth of all his grandchildren. So many family milestones missed and still to be missed.”
Mr Griffin later told MSPs the man was his father, adding: “That’s why I feel so strongly about this subject, why I support the Bill, why I’m speaking today, and why I support the Government wholeheartedly in their ambition to introduce a system of presumed consent in Scotland.”
The first stage of the Human Tissue (Authorisation) Bill was voted through by 107 votes to one, with two abstentions. It will now receive further scrutiny.
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