Why share your decision?

Letting your relatives and friends know you want to be an organ donor makes it easier for them to say yes at a difficult time.

Why it's important to share your organ donation decision

If you die in circumstances that mean organ donation may be a possibility, the doctors and nurses caring for you will discuss donation with your family as part of the end of life care discussion. The medical team will look at the NHS Organ Donor Register to see if you recorded a donation decision before discussing it with your family.

Read Andrew and Leslie's story

"I was relieved when they told me that Leslie was actually on the Organ Donation Register."

"It was just then up to me whether or not we should go ahead with the whole process, which I knew Leslie had wanted, and it's what I wanted, so it was a much more straightforward process then."

Andrew, who had the conversation with his wife Leslie

Telling your family that you want to be an organ donor when you die helps them to make that decision at a difficult time.

They can also make sure any particular needs you have in line with your faith or beliefs are taken into consideration.

Did you know?

Fewer than half of families agree to donation going ahead if they are unaware of their loved one’s decision to be a donor. This rises to over 9 out of 10 when the decision to be an organ donor is known.

What do you need to do?

If you want to make a real difference by being an organ donor after your death, you should:

Join the NHS Organ Donor Register
Tell your family and friends that you have joined the register and want to be a donor so they can support your decision

Your family is much more likely to agree to donation going ahead if you have recorded a decision to donate on the NHS Organ Donor Register and have already discussed this decision with them.