Lord Mayor of Oxford Susanna Pressel is among a dozen donors who have agreed to donate their brain to medical research following an appeal in the Oxford Mail.

Ms Pressel, who is recovering from breast cancer, approached staff at the John Radcliffe Hospital’s neuropathology department after it emerged research into conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and autism could be under threat unless thousands more people donated their brains.

She said: “I’ve had a donor card since I was a teenager and I thought it covered everything, but reading the article in the Oxford Mail made me realise brains weren’t included.

“I love the thought that someone might benefit from my organs when I die.

“I like to feel I’m doing good for other people.

“It wasn’t an easy decision. I had a few qualms. I felt slightly squeamish, but only for a few seconds.

“I’m very keen on medical research. I have a great faith in medicine and if I can help I am happy to do so. I always think any day they’re going to find a cure for cancer.”

Ms Pressel said she understood people might have reservations about donating organs to medical research, for example for religious reasons, but encouraged people to think long and hard about signing up.

She added: “If people have questions and feel squeamish, I’m sure somebody at the hospital will talk them through what happens.

“I think it’s very important for people to talk through their concerns.”

Last week the Oxford Mail reported that our former health reporter Victoria Owen, 36, from Bloxham, near Banbury, who has multiple sclerosis, had decided to donate her brain after her death following an appeal by scientists for more people to step forward.

Prof Paul Francis, from King’s College London, urged healthy people as well as those with brain disorders to become donors.

Margaret Esiri, a professor in neuropathology at the John Radcliffe Hospital, also backed the appeal.

She is attending an international meeting about biomarkers in brain disease at the Said Business School today.

She thanked both Ms Pressel and Miss Owen for their generosity.

She said: “There’s a need for donors who have normal brains, as well as those with diseases that affect the brain.

“I’m pleased about the Lord Mayor’s decision and the decisions made by the 10 or 12 other people who have come forward after reading the article in the Oxford Mail.”

Organ donors carry a donor card and join the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Anyone considering donating their brain for medical research should call 01865 234403.

tshepherd@oxfordmail.co.uk