In the last three decades more than 100,000 transplants have taken place, with 60,000 patients still alive today thanks to this life-saving gift. But sadly the transplant waiting list is the highest it’s ever been and every day, somewhere across the UK, someone dies waiting for a transplant.
This Organ Donation Week (21-27 September) Kidney Care UK joins the NHS in supporting people to take action.
To help save and improve more lives, more people need to actively record their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Although most people support organ donation in principle, too many have not yet confirmed their organ donation decision. A recorded decision provides certainty for families at an incredibly difficult time; 9 in 10 families support organ donation if they know what their loved one wanted.
5 ways to support Organ Donation Week 2026
Confirm your decision to donate on the NHS Organ Donor Register
Would you accept a life-saving organ if you needed one? If you would, will you say yes to being an organ donor?
Every day, opportunities to save lives are lost because organ donation decisions aren't known. It takes two minutes to confirm your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and you could save up to nine lives. Search 'organ donor register' or use the NHS App.
Not sure if you've already registered? You can check this in the NHS App.
Share the message of living kidney donation
Living kidney donors make 1 in 3 transplants possible across the UK and last year almost 1,000 people donated a kidney or part of their liver through living donation.
Information about organ donation laws in the UK, living kidney donation and the paired/pooled kidney donation scheme is available on the Kidney Care UK website.
Celebrate kidney donors
If you are a transplant recipient, add a message of thanks and celebration for your donor to our Kidney celebrations page. It's completely free to share your stories, pictures and thoughts and remember the people who have been by your side.
Share NHS Organ Donor and Kidney Care UK posts on social channels
During Organ Donation Week 2026 we will be sharing kidney transplant information and stories on our social channels and we'd love you to help us raise awareness with your friends and family. Please use the hashtag #OrganDonationWeek and tag us @kidneycareuk.