Saving and improving lives. Official account for the NHS Organ Donor Register. We love reading your tweets and reply to them between 0700-2300
#OrganDonation
“I ask my mummy: ‘When are the doctors going to call? When is my new heart going to come?’”
Georgia is 6 and is one of about 200 children waiting for a transplant.
Her words show why talking about organ donation is so important ➡️
#StorytellingWeek
Campbell is a double lung transplant recipient of 7 years.
Unfortunately, at the end of March, he became unwell and was admitted to hospital with Covid-19.
He's now on the road to recovery, improving every day and adhering to shielding rules under wife Carol’s watchful eye!
"Knowing our mum lives on in others makes our heartbreak a little bit easier."
Neve shares how knowing her mum, Joanne, wanted to become an organ donor helped her family when she died aged 53. She was able to donate her heart and 2 kidneys.
Read more ➡️
“Ethan received the most precious gift of a new heart and for the first time in over a year he was able to come home, and we could be a family.
"A donor family said 'yes', and because of them we have more time with Ethan than we ever thought we would have had."
#OrganDonation
"Receiving a letter from the mother of a little boy that received part of Will’s liver meant the world to us.
"Nothing can bring our son back but knowing the difference he made gives us some kind of solace. My only wish now is to hear from all the other organ recipients."
“My sister passed away 5 weeks ago, age 24. Very sudden and unexpected. She had a donor card since she was 14, so we knew exactly what she wanted. We received this letter just in time to be read out at her funeral yesterday. Bittersweet.”
#organdonation
"Our beautiful, brave sister Linda offered in her death the gift of life to others and removed the horrendous pain of grief for their families.
“This is a photo of her with our mum who’s now passed away as well. We love this picture of a happy time.” - Elaine
#OrganDonation
"My son Jack became a life-saving organ donor at the age of 18 saving three lives.
"We love and miss Jack every day but donating his organs felt like the right thing to do, we hope the recipients are doing well and are now living a better quality of life thanks to Jack."
Hilaria, from Manchester, reflects on how her life has been transformed since receiving a kidney transplant, following a wait of 6 years.
She tells us about how she thinks about her donor and their loved ones every day.
Read her story ➡️
Jack was an ICU nurse in Bristol. After suffering a bleed on the brain while cycling home from a shift he was taken back to the hospital where he worked and was cared for by his friends and colleagues.
He went on to donate his heart, liver and kidneys.
"My son received a heart valve from a baby or child when he was 4, he is now about to turn 8 and is full of life. So grateful for such a selfless gift." 💕
“My daughter had her second transplant in February. We are forever grateful to the unselfish act the donor family made in a time of great sadness.
"After fighting kidney disease for all her teen years she is finally able to live life as she should.”
#OrganDonation
“Ben passed in our arms just outside the operating theatre. He donated his kidneys, his pancreas and his two sets of heart valves.
“We're proud to know our little superhero helped others especially when he was in the same position a few days earlier."
#OrganDonation
Today would have been Alfie’s 16th birthday. In 2015, he sadly died after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
His mum, Cathy, says: "We donated to keep our son 'alive' somehow and to spare his recipients’ families the agony we suffer daily without our precious Alfie."
#OrganDonation
Max has shared these photos of the special organ donation bauble he's added to his Christmas tree.
It includes a message to Keira - the young girl who donated her heart to save his life.
Get involved in our festive activity. Download your bauble here ➡️
"On Tuesday my brother gifted me one of his kidneys, I will be forever grateful.
"My brother was home the next day and I’m going home today. Everything has so far gone really well. Share your spare." - Barrie
#LivingDonation
“I am forever grateful for the decision taken by Naomi's donor family. When they were losing their daughter, they chose to allow my daughter to live."
Naomi celebrates the 27th anniversary of her liver transplant this month.
Read her story ➡️
@tweetcldf
A family chat about organ donation left Stephanie certain what her Dad's wishes were when he sadly died from a cardiac arrest.
Stephanie says: "Dad was the kind of man who'd do anything for anyone."
This is why talking to loved ones is so important ➡️
Check out this special organ donation trailer.
It features the story of Beatrix, a little girl waiting for a heart transplant, and encourages families to talk about the gift of life.
Thank you to the amazing efforts of
@BeatrixHeart22
and the generosity of Hawthorns Logistics.
Vinnie is currently waiting for a heart transplant. His mum reflects on his journey so far.
“As we live day to day life, a heart and our wait is always first on our mind. The constant waiting for that call."
Read more ➡️
#OrganDonation
She’s finally home 🥹. The emotional moment two-year-old Bea receives a guard of honour as she leaves the hospital for the first time in 14 months to spend the night with her family after a lifesaving heart transplant 🫀💗
#OrganDonation
#HowToSaveALife
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the first heart transplant in the UK. Since then many lives have been saved thanks to the incredible generosity of donors and their families.
"My brother Anthony suffers from sickle cell which unfortunately led to him developing kidney failure. I was the only match so in 2006 I gave my brother one of my kidneys.
"My brother is now a grandfather of 3 and living a full life." - Sharon
#OrganDonation
#BlackHistoryMonth
“The doctors said his heart was strong and I always knew that, because I was short and he was tall, when we used to hug I could hear his heart beating loudly. I wanted it to carry on beating. "
Connor saved the life of another young man after his death.➡️
Keira was nine years old when she tragically died in a car accident. She donated her organs saving the lives of four people, including Max, who received her heart.
"I am immunosuppressed after a liver transplant.
"I am high risk for covid19. I have had to send my son to stay with his dad for 12 weeks.
"Please
#StayHome
so the vulnerable like me and so many more can leave our homes and be reunited with our loved ones sooner.❤️"
"Our little angel donated six organs which saved the lives of other young children and a young woman.
"Nothing can fill the huge void we have in our hearts for Benjamin but we knew we had to make the decision to help other families.
"His smile will be remembered forever."
20 years ago today Sandra donated one of her kidneys to her brother Cefyn transforming his life.
Two decades on and the kidney is still going strong!
Read their story ➡️
#LivingDonation
"His little heart may be in a new body, sharing new love and new happiness with a new family… but it’s still beating on this earth. And that’s such an indescribable feeling."
We're working with faith leaders across the country to raise awareness of organ donation.
If you have questions about whether your beliefs may affect your ability to become an organ donor, check our website for information ➡️
#WorldReligionDay
"As our grief continued after a period of time it became a little ‘softer around the edges’ knowing that we had honoured Pippa’s wishes and made the correct decision, including donating her corneas and giving the ‘gift of sight’ to others."
Registering your organ donation decision is an important step, but so is sharing it with your loved ones. Finding a talking point to have this conversation can help make this easier.
Click here for our top tips on talking to loved ones ➡️
"The true impact of that one decision became very real."
Suzanne's son, Liam, became an organ donor when he died aged just 17.
She shares what happened when she met Alex, the man who had received Liam's heart.
#OrganDonation
"My transplant has allowed me to follow my dreams."
Rachel's life was transformed when she received a kidney and liver transplant aged 18. She's since got married, had a daughter and started a printmaking business.
Register to become an organ donor ➡️
"Our donor now lives on in the amazing life that Layton is living. We have our little boy back."
Layton is an eight-year-old kidney recipient, after he suddenly become unwell with Henoch-Schonlein purpura. His mum, Katie, describes what
#OrganDonation
means to their family.
Ten year old Max received a life-saving heart transplant last year. Tune in to the
#PrideOfBritain
awards tonight at 8pm on
@ITV
to see him receive the Child of Courage Award for his efforts to change organ donation law.
You could be a lifesaver. Spread the word!
By registering your organ donation decision and sharing it with loved ones, you have the potential to save many lives.
Take 2 minutes today to join the NHS Organ Donor Register ➡️
We're excited to launch a year long campaign to raise awareness of the changes to
#OrganDonation
law which come into place in England next year, and to encourage everyone to share their organ donation decision with their family.
"My dad donated to me 2 weeks ago, I have lived with kidney disease for 18 years so I can’t wait to see how much this will change my life for the better! This was just a few short hours after surgery."
"It was time to fulfil his wishes in giving."
Kurran sadly died aged 19. As he had spoken to his mother, Pragna, about wanting to become an organ donor, his family knew and respected his wishes.
Click for ways to share your decision with loved ones ➡️
“I have been given my whole life back by an anonymous kidney donor. At times there never seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel. I now have a future to look forward to with my boyfriend and family that I have desperately longed for.”
#WorldKidneyDay
Time is running out to apply to our Community Grants Programme! Its focus is on reaching people of black and Asian heritage in conversations about blood and organ donation.
If your local group is interested in applying, click here ➡️
Did you know? Only around 1 in 100 people die in circumstances where they can donate their organs so every potential donor is precious.
It’s really important to let your family know your
#OrganDonation
decision.
Keith's daughter Pippa donated her organs and tissues in November 2018.
"We received a beautiful and very emotionally written letter and card from a lovely lady called Helen, a recipient of Pippa’s 'gift of life’.
Read more:
#NationalLetterWritingDay
“It looks as if the new ‘Opt Out’ legislation in England will become law in the next few days and we very much hope that once this new law comes into force in Spring 2020, we will see similar results to those we have witnessed in Wales.”
"My husband recently received a liver transplant and words can never express our gratitude.
"His transformation is nothing short of miraculous thanks to our donor, their family and our amazing NHS.
"We will think about them every day for the rest of our lives."
My little boy Kyle was just 8 months old when he had his liver transplant. Kyle received his precious gift of life thanks to an amazing family who agreed to organ donation. Kyle has lots of ongoing issues BUT he is a true warrior. He is doing amazing despite everything. - Laura
Kay Mason was the first person in the UK to donate a kidney anonymously to a stranger. She also paved the way for other like-minded donors to follow her example, helping to save hundreds of lives.
Read her story ➡️
#LivingDonation
#IWD22
“We’re just so incredibly grateful to those two donors who gave Hannah another chance, and also to the doctors and nurses at Leeds General Infirmary.
"After all we’ve been through, taking Hannah for her first day at school is a dream come true.”
Do you know local groups that help raise awareness of organ donation among black and Asian people?
Tell them to apply for our funding!
We're offering grants up to £20,000 to projects that will engage and encourage more donors.
Find out more ➡️
Jordan Walker, who died after collapsing on a treadmill, went on to save the lives of five people by donating his organs. His dad has recently collected the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation on behalf of his son.
Have you made a decision about
#OrganDonation
? It's important to let your family know. 💬
Organ donation law in England has changed but families will still be involved in the process.
Well done to Millie, a liver transplant recipient and Transplant Games competitor, who took on the final leg of the Rickshaw Challenge for
@BBCCiN
last week.
The appeal supports
@tweetcldf
which is there for Millie and other young people experiencing liver disease.
"I donated a kidney to a stranger last year. Being a living donor is something I am really proud of. Having one less kidney doesn’t feel any different. I’ve accomplished something I wanted to do and feel like I am healthier now than before." - Kyle
#YesIDonate
Today the Government has confirmed its intention to change the rules in spring 2020, introducing an “opt-out” model.
We welcome the Government’s commitment to organ donation and we will work with them to ensure that changes are implemented successfully.
“Finding a living donor and a best friend at the same time has completely changed my life.”
Kayleigh responded to Louise’s online appeal for a living kidney donor, and although once strangers, they are now the best of friends.
#InternationalFriendshipDay
It’s your choice whether you want to become an organ donor or not when you die.
It only takes a minute to record a decision and you can update it at any time.
Don't forget to share your decision with your family.
#LeaveThemCertain
Claire is a Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation. During the coronavirus outbreak she was redeployed to ICU to care for Covid-19 patients.
Emporium Gym, where Claire is a member, commissioned a mural to thank and recognise the incredible work of NHS staff. 💙
#ThankYouTogether
Lauren is thirty three weeks pregnant with twin boys, Bobby and Albi. Bobby is healthy but his brother, Albi, has a fatal condition, anencephaly. Lauren and her fiancé, Gary, want Albi to become a donor to help other babies live.
#Hospital
@Label1tv
If you want to be an organ donor, record your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
If you die in circumstances where you could be a donor, this is the record that specialist nurses check. They can’t access social accounts or apps.
Click here ➡️
Happy
#WorldKidneyDay
! Today we’re celebrating the thousands of people who have transformed and saved lives by donating a kidney to someone in need of a transplant.
Has your life been transformed by a kidney donor?
"I got a lot of comfort from knowing that two people had benefited from mum’s cornea donation.
"It gave me a sense of pride; fulfilling someone’s wish, it’s the last thing you can do for them. To know there was some part of her still walking around, she would be really pleased.”
"This is my daughter, Hannah. From birth she was totally dependent on all her care needs. Who would have thought she too can be an organ donor? I have never seen her smile, but she has made the recipients of her liver, pancreas and kidneys and their families smile again."
Vicki gave a kidney to her husband Wayne in 2015, after watching Spike Lee’s film ‘Do the Right Thing’.
“Giving life to my husband was hard, but it was rewarding. And we are all as a family still continuing to benefit from that gift of life.”
#BlackHistoryMonth
#OrganDonation
Aari passed away in 2016 following a tragic accident. He saved the lives of other children through
#OrganDonation
.
"We are immensely proud of Aari and the wonderful gift he has given to someone else."
Aari’s mum shares her story ➡️
Hilaria is a kidney transplant recipient and well known for her organ donation awareness work, including as founder and chair of
@wshbmekidneys
- the UK's first Black kidney charity.
For
#BlackHistoryMonth
, we asked Hilaria what Black heritage means to her and what inspires her.
"When I needed a cornea, I naively went into it with my eyes not fully open, and not just because of my eye problem! I had no idea there were shortages." -
@paulkerensa
A cornea transplant transformed Paul’s life by improving his sight. Find out more ➡️
"We knew that helping others in need was what my father would have wanted.
"But I wish we had spoken about organ donation to know for certain and I would urge others to take the opportunity while they still can."
#LeaveThemCertain
Daniel James-Lacey McInerney, from London, was terrified when he tested positive for coronavirus Covid-19 - but after two weeks of hospital treatment and home quarantine, he has now beaten the virus. ❤️
“This was my partner who died 28 years ago, killed by a drunk driver. We were having a baby, and he never got to see his son. When he was in hospital they asked us about his organs and I knew he had an organ donor card and my Steve lives on in 3 people whose lives he saved.”
Iceland has passed a law that changes its organ donation program from ‘opt-in’ to ‘opt-out’, effectively turning every citizen into a donor unless otherwise specified.
It’s
#OrganDonationWeek
, the perfect chance to celebrate the gift of life!
Make a difference by registering your decision to become an organ donor. It could mean you save and improve many lives.
Register your decision today ➡️
Nearly 1,400 selfless individuals saved and improved the lives of thousands of people last year, when they donated their organs after death.
At a time of the year for giving, register to become an organ donor and give the gift of life ➡️