National Transplant Week

Join the Register

Over 7,500 people in the UK are currently waiting for an organ transplant and furthermore, on average, 3 people who need a transplant die every day whilst waiting.

Transplant Week, which takes places between 4th - 10th July, aims to increase awareness of organ donation and the issues that surround it by focusing on how long people are currently waiting to receive a transplant.

Last week, I met with The Kidney Alliance during National Transplant week to discuss the affect of the government’s Health Bill on patients suffering from kidney failure and requiring regular dialysis.

There is still much work to be done to encourage people to donate their organs.

At the moment only 29% of people have joined the Organ Donor Register, even though 96% would take an organ if they needed one. 

The average person in the UK spends an hour waiting every day - whether it's in traffic, on public transport or in a queue. But for those waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, for which there is often no alternative, the wait is on average up to three years.

For Transplant Week this year, I want people to think about that wait and take action by signing up to the Organ Donor Register and join the 16 million citizens whose details are registered. If I could magically change one thing to help save more lives, it would be to make sure everyone took a few minutes to let their family know their wishes regarding organ donation