Organ and Tissue Donation Week 2026: Don’t Leave Your Loved Ones in Doubt
Organ and Tissue Donation Week takes place from 21 to 27 September 2026, and this year colleagues across Scotland are being encouraged to take a simple but important step: record their organ and tissue donation decision and share it with their loved ones.
Scotland operates an opt-out system for organ and tissue donation. This means that people aged 16 and over may be considered willing to donate if they have not recorded a decision. However, it remains important to make your wishes known by recording your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, whether you choose to donate or opt out.
Recording your decision provides a clear record of your wishes and can help your family understand and respect your choice. Families are always involved in the donation process and may be asked about your latest views, so having a conversation about your decision can make a difficult time easier for those closest to you. The key message from this year's campaign is simple: don't leave your loved ones in doubt.
This year's Organ and Tissue Donation Week also coincides with National Eye Health Week, highlighting the need for cornea donation. There is currently a shortage of donor corneas in Scotland and waiting lists remain long, meaning that a recorded donation decision could help give someone the gift of sight.
Whether your decision is to donate or not, taking the time to record it and discuss it with family and friends ensures your wishes are understood.
To record your decision or find out more, visit www.organdonation.scot or call 0300 123 23 23.