The NHS is launching its annual Organ Donation Week from September 22 to 28, 2025, aiming to increase awareness about organ donation and encourage more people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.
New figures from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) show a significant and historic shift in organ donation. As people over the age of 50 are now providing a bigger share of donated organs than ever before.
While this is a positive trend, the NHS is also highlighting the need for more people in this age group to join the Organ Donor Register (ODR), as they remain underrepresented despite their growing impact.
What is Organ Donation Week?
During this week, a range of activities takes place:
- Promoting Awareness: Healthcare organisations, charities, and community groups across the UK will be actively promoting the importance of organ donation.
- Sharing Your Decision: The public is encouraged to have a conversation with their family and friends about their organ donation decision.
- Confirming Your Choice: The campaign urges people to take a moment to confirm their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
- Showing Support: Landmarks and buildings will be lit up in pink to show solidarity with those waiting for a transplant and to honour donors.
A Growing Impact
In the last year (2024–2025), there were 932 organ donors aged 50 or older, making up 63% of all deceased organ donors in the UK. This is the highest proportion on record and a testament to advancements in medical science and increased public awareness.
Despite this, only 20% of the people on the ODR (Organ Donation Register) who have confirmed their wish to donate are over 50.
The NHSBT’s (NHS Blood and Transplant) research shows that many in this age group mistakenly believe they’re too old to be a successful donor, or that they don’t need to register their decision anymore.
However, organs from older donors are being used more frequently and with great success.
Hearts and lungs can potentially be donated up to age 65, and livers and kidneys up to age 80. In rare cases, donations from even older individuals have been possible. Plus, life-changing tissues like bone and corneas can be donated at any age.
Why Are Older Donors on the Rise?
Several factors are contributing to this trend:
- An Ageing Population: With more people living longer, the potential donor pool for older age groups is naturally increasing.
- New Medical Techniques: Advances like perfusion, where fluid is circulated through organs to keep them healthy for transplant, are making it possible to use organs that might not have been suitable in the past.
- Public Awareness: The ODR has been in operation for over 30 years. People who joined the register in their youth are now becoming donors in middle and old age, contributing to the rising numbers.
- Increased Research: More studies are proving that organs from older donors can be successfully transplanted, giving surgeons greater confidence in their use.
The final decision on whether organs or tissue are suitable for transplant is always made by medical specialists at the time of donation, regardless of the donor’s age.
A Splash of Pink for a Lifesaving Cause
This Organ Donation Week, councils, businesses, hospitals, and community groups across the country are uniting for a vital cause by turning their buildings pink.
This vibrant display serves as a powerful reminder of the more than 400 people who tragically died last year while waiting for a transplant.
The campaign aims to encourage more people to confirm their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. With over 8,000 people currently on the waiting list, the highest it has ever been, the need for donors is more critical than ever.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant, highlights the urgency. “The modern organ donor card is pink, and it certainly gets people to do what they have always meant to,” he said.
“We need people to take just two minutes to save up to nine lives by confirming their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. This could be the difference between life and death for someone else.”
How to register and show support?
If you haven’t yet joined the NHS Organ Donor Register, consider adding your name and registering today. Your decision could be the one that saves a life.
So, whether it’s a local landmark, your local hospital, a council office building, school, or university, make sure you go pink this Organ Donation Week!
Frequently asked questions:
Which organs can be donated?
- Heart
- Lungs
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Pancreas
- Small bowel
Tissue such as:
You do have a choice as to what you wish to donate. This can be done through the NHS registry, identified in your Will, or spoken about in confidence – with your friends or family. Although we would always recommend putting your decision in writing to prevent any conflicts.
How important a role will the family play in these decisions?
Under the new system, families will still be supported by the specialist nurses in personal discussions about organ donation at the bedside, with the emphasis on honouring their loved one’s wishes.
The family will maintain a key role, not least because families provide important information to nurses and clinicians about their loved one’s medical and behavioural history, which allows clinicians to assess whether donation could be an option.
I want to donate, but my family is against it. What should I do?
If you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you can appoint up to two people to make the final decision about organ donation for you. If you die in circumstances where donation is possible, your appointed representative(s) will be asked if your organs should be donated.
To add appointed representatives to the NHS Organ Donor Register, you will need to ask them to sign the ‘nominate a representative’ form in the presence of a witness.
Once NHS Blood and Transplant receives this form, your information and the details of your appointed representatives will be added to the NHS Organ Donor Register, and this information will be available to your specialist nurses if you are identified as a potential donor. A copy of these forms will also be attached to your Will to expressly state who you want to nominate.
The form can be found here.
Will my funeral plans be affected?
There will always be questions asked about funeral arrangements, or medical professionals will ask to see a copy of the Will, should there be special arrangements in place, such as open-caskets, quick burials, etc.
The surgery carried out to remove a donor’s organs is carried out by highly skilled professionals who take the same care and attention and offer the same respect as they would in any operation to save a patient’s life.
The surgical incisions are carefully dressed after the surgery, and any end-of-life care wishes in relation to the washing and dressing of the body are respected.
Many donors go on to have an open-casket funeral (if required). So, should you decide to remain opted-in, any arrangements you have in place for your funeral will still be honoured and respected. Your arrangements will not be altered due to your choice. However, you must make your funeral arrangements clear before your death, so that they can be honoured should the time come.
Check this link for extra information.
Will I need a solicitor?
Making your Will gives you and your family peace of mind that your affairs are in order. If you want to be in control of the decisions that are being made about YOU or you wish to authorise a third party to make those decisions on your behalf, then please seek advice.
Even if you think you have nothing to leave, you can still prevent any additional distress for your family at such an emotional time. By making a Will, you are making it clear who will deal with all aspects of your estate when you are no longer here. Especially if there are restrictions or reasons as to why you would have chosen to opt out of organ donation.
Further information:
Organ donation week 2025.
NHS: Turn the skies pink for Organ Donation Week.
Over 50s are providing a bigger share of donated organs than ever.
Oakwood Solicitors: Organ donation.
WHAT TO DO NEXT?
If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of organ donation, get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page or call us on 0113 323 2878.
Charlotte Bandawe is our Head of Wills and Probate department, leading a team of three other colleagues.
Charlotte is also a member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers. View her Association For …
National Grief Awareness Day: The importance of a Will
National Grief Awareness Day, August 30th, established in 2014, commemorates the various manifestations of grief and emphasizes the importance of having a will to protect yourself and your loved o…
View
Five things to think about when writing a Will
Writing a Will can be an emotional and daunting task, but it is essential to have one in place to ensure your property and possessions are divided how you wish when you die.
Your W…
View
