University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) is sharing the inspirational story of a young organ donor and is supporting Organ Donation Week 2025 by encouraging everyone to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Joe Ward (pictured right), a young man with Dravet Syndrome who was cared for by UHMBT, tragically passed away after a cardiac arrest. Joe’s family made the courageous decision to donate his organs and tissues for the benefit of others and for research.
Thanks to the family’s incredible generosity, three people received life-saving organ transplants and six others, including a two-year-old girl, benefited from tissue donations.
Despite his condition, Joe was joyful and loved music, travel and emergency vehicles. His family found comfort in knowing his life continues through the people he helped.
Chelsea Whittle, Specialist Nurse in Organ donation for UHMBT, said: “We are deeply grateful to Joe’s family for their incredible compassion and for turning their profound loss into something so positive. We will always remember Joe’s legacy and the hope he has given to others.”
Paul Jones, Chair of the UHMBT Organ Donation Committee and Company Secretary for the Trust, said: “Every donation has the power to transform multiple lives, as we can see from Joe’s remarkable story. The life-changing impact of organ donation is huge. Although there are significant challenges in the donation process, the outcome - saving lives - makes every effort worthwhile.”
Paul is asking everyone to watch the following video which shows just how life-changing organ donation can be for individuals and families: Dear Layla
To mark the Organ Donation Week, UHMBT will light up its buildings in pink from Monday 22 to Sunday 28 September.
UHMBT’s Organ Donation Committee works closely with clinical leads and specialist nurses to ensure no donation opportunity is missed. The Trust aims to facilitate at least four organ donations per year, which could potentially save up to 15 lives annually. While the process is complex, requiring sensitive family discussions, the impact of each donation is profound.
Every day, someone in the UK dies because they didn’t receive the transplant they so desperately needed. Last year, 2,394 donors helped 4,583 people receive life-changing transplants, but sadly, more than 400 people died waiting. Today, more than 8,000 people remain on the transplant waiting list in the UK.
Paul said: “Most of us would accept an organ if we needed one and you are more likely to need a transplant than to become a donor. However, many people haven’t confirmed their decision, leaving family members uncertain and missing the opportunity to give the gift of life.”
Chelsea added: “Signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register is vital - and it’s equally important to tell your family and friends your donation wishes, so they know your decision.
“One person can save up to nine lives through organ donation - and even more by donating tissue, including the gift of sight through corneal donation. For many families, knowing that their loved one’s decision has given others the gift of life can bring immense comfort - a light in the darkest of times.”
While everyone in England is considered to have opted in to organ donation, families still have the final say, so it’s important to talk to family, friends and loved ones about your donation wishes, so they know your decision.
The NHS is also working to address disparities in transplant waiting times. While more people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are receiving transplants than ever before, they still wait longer than White patients due to a shortage of suitable donors.
Click on this link to register to donate or check if you are already registered: Confirm your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Please talk to your family about your wishes and make sure they know that's what you want: Organ donation law in England - NHS Organ Donation
Paul added: “If you want to be an organ donor, being on the NHS Organ Donor Register makes it more likely to happen. Your choice has never been more important.”
Please visit: Register your decision - NHS Organ Donation, use the NHS Apps in England and Wales, or call 0300 123 23 23 for more information. Scan the QR code to register.
Information about Dravet Syndrome is on this link: About Dravet Syndrome - Dravet Syndrome UK
Information of organ donation law in the UK is on this link: Organ donation law in England - NHS Organ Donation