Organ Donation Week 2025 at King’s
23 September 2025 - “I was never able to thank my organ donor for changing my life, but I do as much as I can to raise awareness of organ donation, and the incredible gift of life it can be to so many.”
During Organ Donation Week, running from 22 – 28 September, King’s Specialist Nurses in Organ Donation are reminding everyone about the importance of registering their decision on the Organ Donor Register. In the past year at the Trust, we have seen 119 organs donated by 46 donors, and 81 tissues, such as skin, bone or corneas, donated.
Helen Wilson was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease in 2000, and as a result, both her kidneys were removed in 2006. Helen’s brother offered to become a kidney donor, and the transplant went ahead in 2007. Helen explained: “Thankfully, my amazing brother Steve stepped forward and donated one of his kidneys to me. My life was transformed by his amazing act of kindness; I wouldn’t be here without him.
“Unfortunately, in 2013, I discovered I had a polycystic liver and needed a second transplant. I was extremely lucky that a donor family gave me the chance of a new liver, and gave me my life back once again.”
Helen spent a month recovering from the transplant surgery in intensive care, and her family was told her body may reject the liver. However, she has now made a full recovery. She added: “Considering that at my worst I couldn’t walk very far, I’m now fitter than ever, and determined to make the most of life. Without my selfless donors, their families, and the amazing people who work at King’s, none of this would have been possible.”
Thousands of lives like Helen’s have been saved thanks to people who register their decision to donate their organs.
Simon Randerson, 68, from Camberwell, has chronic hepatitis B and underwent a liver transplant at King’s in 2002 after he developed liver failure. He said: “I feel incredibly lucky to be here: I survived a stroke three years ago, and I have been living with HIV for 40 years. I was never able to thank my organ donor for changing my life, but I do as much as I can to raise awareness of organ donation, and the incredible gift of life it can be to so many.”
Jodie Cox, 44, was diagnosed with autoimmune liver disease when she was 17 years old. She said: “From my early twenties, I knew that one day I would need a doner organ. Fatigue is one of the biggest symptoms of autoimmune conditions, and as time went on, I found daily life harder and harder. I had to give up work, and I thought my days of competitive swimming, which I’d loved since the age of eight, were a thing of the past.” Jodie had a liver transplant at King’s when she was 28 years old, giving her a second chance of life. She explained: “I got my life back, and suddenly all these new opportunities were opening up.
“I realised my transplant would mean I could get back in the water, and I thought I’d see if I’d kept my passion for swimming.” Jodie was selected to represent Great Britain as a swimmer at the World Transplant Games in 2013 and won gold in every event she entered. Since then, Jodie has competed in five World Transplant Games, winning multiple medals and setting World Transplant Games records. Jodie added: “it feels like a dream – I have the honour of being part of Team GB, doing a sport I love, and proving what’s possible after transplant.”
Harry Bannister, Specialist Nurse Organ Donation at King’s, added: “Families and loved ones show immense courage to agree to organ donation, and make life-saving treatment possible. Donor families should be very proud that they have helped give the gift of life to people including Helen, Simon and Jodie.
“For anyone considering organ donation, please register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Organ donation will only go ahead with the support of your family, so it’s important they know your decision.”