A young woman waiting for a lung transplant has backed calls by medical chiefs to make every person in Britain an organ donor unless they register to opt out.

Katherine Ireland, who has battled against cystic fibrosis since she was a five-month-old baby, was told in early 1997 she had only 18 months to live.

Only a successful transplant may give the 20-year-old several more years. Last year the Keighley News backed her family's efforts to try to find a suitable donor which could save her life.

Now Katherine, who lives in Meadowcroft, Cononley, is supporting calls by the British Medical Association (BMA) for presumed consent, making everyone a donor unless they say otherwise. Currently, only people who 'opt in' - by carrying a donor card or signing up to the National Donor Register - have their organs removed to save others. "I think it is a great idea," says Katherine. "But I believe that people should be able to opt out."

Under existing legislation organs can only be removed with the patient's prior consent or with the approval of the family after death.

Katherine agrees the death of a family member or friend is distressing and the donor situation would need to be looked at carefully. "But if there were more donors then more lives could be saved," she says.

The BMA believes a change in the law could save hundreds of lives a year. But the plan has been attacked by some patient and donor groups. A spokes-man for the British Organ Donor Society says organ don-ation would probably not increase and may even dec-rease 'because we are a nation who like to give the gift of life and not be coerced into it in some underhand way'.

Meanwhile, Katherine, who has been awaiting a lung transplant since October 1997, waits for her bleeper to go off if a lung match is found for her. An ambulance will pick her up and take her to Newcastle's Free-mans Hospital where the surgery will take place. Kath-erine, a cadet warrant officer in the Air Cadets, has to undergo daily treatment. Infection and illness has forced her to spend long periods of time in Seacroft Hospital, Leeds, where she seen some of her closest friends die from the illness.

She told the Keighley News earlier this year: "It's difficult watching your friends die one by one. You can't help thinking that next time it could be you."

Anyone wishing to join the donor register can pick up a form from your local post office or doctor.

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