Media Release
Date: 22 September 2026
Confirm your decision to save lives this Organ Donation Week
The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust is urging people to register their decision to be an organ donor after new figures showed that between April 2021 and March 2026 more than 700 potential donations did not go ahead because families did not know for certain what their loved one would have wanted. This resulted in around 2,127 missed opportunities for transplant.
The data, released by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to mark Organ Donation Week (Monday 21 – Sunday 27 September), also shows that the UK transplant waiting list has risen to a record level, with more than 8,700 people waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
Nine people die every week waiting for a transplant, highlighting the urgent need to increase organ donation and transplantation rates.
Alison Ryan, Chair of the RUH Organ & Tissue Donation Committee, said: "Confirming your decision to donate on the NHS Organ Donor Register makes it clear to your family that you want to be an organ donor, leaving them certain of your decision at what is a difficult and emotional time.
"My late husband was given an additional 18 years of life because of the generosity of an organ donation so I know first-hand the real difference it makes and the deep feelings of gratitude and respect for the donor which remains with the recipients' families forever.
"So please, if you've yet to register your decision, do it today. It takes just two minutes on the NHS Organ Donation website and by doing so you could potentially save up to nine lives."
In addition to its work with organ donation, the RUH works in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant, Tissue and Eye Services to make conversations about tissue donation a recognised part of end-of-life care. This means families have the opportunity to consider tissue donation if they wish. One tissue donor can potentially help up to 50 individuals with the gifts of healing,sight and relief of pain.
Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "There is a simple action the public can take to help save lives. Please sign the NHS Organ Donor Register. Most of us would accept an organ if we needed one but opportunities to save lives are being lost because families didn't know what their loved ones wanted. Leave them certain."
Since its creation in 1994, thousands of lives have been saved thanks to people agreeing to donate their organs after death by confirming their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
The law around organ donation now assumes that unless you have 'opted out' you will be considered for organ donation after your death. However, families are still asked for their consent and they are more likely to give it if you have formally 'opted in' by joining the register.
To find out more and confirm your decision, visit the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk, or call 0300 123 23 23. Users of the NHS app, can also use this to record, check or amend their details or decision.
ENDS