Organ Donation Week: one decision could be life-saving

Organ Donation Week runs from 21 to 27 September 2026.

More than 8,000 people in the UK are waiting for a transplant.

For many of them, a transplant could be life-saving. For others, it could mean a chance to live a healthier, fuller life.

Most of us would accept an organ if we needed one. This week is a chance to think about your wishes, make a choice and talk to your family.

Have you made your decision?

You can choose whether you want to donate your organs after your death.

If you want to donate, you can record your choice on the NHS Organ Donor Register. It takes about two minutes.

One donor can help up to nine people.

If you have already registered, you can check your choice and amend it if your wishes have changed.

You can also do this in the NHS App.

• Open the NHS App on your smartphone
• Scroll down and tap on Organ donors save lives
• Here you can see your organ donation decision.
• Tap Change my donation decision if you want to alter your decision, or add details.
• Next, choose your donation decision.
  • Yes – all organs and tissues
  • Yes – some organs and tissue (you can select after)
  • No – none of my organs or tissues.
• Tap continue
• If you have confirmed you want to be a donor, can also choose to leave information about your faith and beliefs, and say if you want these discussed with your family.
• Tap continue, and confirm your decision

There is no time limit to confirm your decision, and you can change it if you wish.

Talk to your family

Choosing to donate your organs is a personal decision. It is important that the people close to you know what you want.

Every year, there are cases where a transplant cannot go ahead because a person’s family is doesn’t know that is what the person wanted.

If donation becomes possible, your family will be involved in the discussion. They will be asked about what you wanted and given the chance to share their views.

Organ donation will not go ahead if your family or loved ones object.

Talking about your decision now means your family is more likely to understand what you would have wanted. It can also make a difficult time a little easier for them.

So, once you have made your decision, tell your family.

This video explains how families are involved in the donation process. The Organ Donation law video is available in different languages and in easy read format on the NHS Organ Donation website.

What if I do not want to donate?

You can also record a choice not to donate.

The important thing is that your wishes are known. You can change your choice at any time.

England has an opt-out system for organ donation. This means that most adults are considered to have agreed to donate unless they have recorded a choice not to.

There are some exceptions to this.

Your family will still be involved if donation becomes possible. This is why it is helpful to make your choice clear and talk about it with them.

Why does organ donation matter?

Thousands of people are waiting for a transplant. For some, the wait can be long. For others, a suitable donor may never be found.

Your choice takes only a few minutes to make. But it could make a lasting difference to someone else.

This Organ Donation Week

Take a few minutes to:

• Make or check your organ donation choice
• Tell your family what you want
• Encourage someone close to you to do the same

Find out more about organ donation and the choices you can make on the NHS Organ Donation website.