One in a Million: PHA urges Northern Ireland families to have the conversation that could save a life

Dáithí Mac Gabhann as he continues his recovery in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

Wednesday, 5 August 2026

Someone in the UK will die today waiting for an organ transplant.

That stark reality is behind a new appeal from the Public Health Agency (PHA), which is urging people across Northern Ireland to register their organ donation decision—and, just as importantly, make sure their family knows what they want.

The campaign supports a UK-wide challenge by NHS Blood and Transplant to encourage one million more people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register by the end of 2026, helping increase the total number of registered decisions to 30 million.

While Northern Ireland continues to lead the UK in organ donor registrations, health officials say one conversation at home could ultimately save a life.

Family conversations can make all the difference

New figures published today show family consent for organ donation has fallen sharply in recent years.

In Northern Ireland, the consent rate has dropped from 79% in 2020/21 to 64% in 2025/26.

The decline matters because families remain central to the donation process, even under Northern Ireland’s opt-out system introduced through Dáithí’s Law in June 2023.

Research shows around 90% of families agree to organ donation when they know their loved one’s wishes, but that falls to just 50% when they are unsure.

Health officials say recording a decision is only part of the process—the conversation with family is equally important.

Northern Ireland leads the UK—but more donors are still needed

As of 30 June 2026, 1,131,045 people in Northern Ireland had recorded an opt-in decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, with a further 33,269 people choosing to opt out.

Overall, 61% of Northern Ireland’s population has recorded a decision—the highest proportion anywhere in the UK.

Despite that, demand for organs continues to outstrip supply.

There were 157 people in Northern Ireland waiting for a transplant at the end of June, while around 10 to 15 people here die every year before a suitable organ becomes available.

Across the UK, someone dies waiting for a transplant almost every day.

More lives were saved last year

Between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, there were 54 deceased organ donors in Northern Ireland, following 63 family consents.

Those donations resulted in 146 life-saving transplants.

Of the 54 deceased donors:

• 22 donations proceeded under Dáithí’s Law

• 36 donors had already recorded or clearly expressed their decision to donate

• 45 transplants resulted from donations proceeding under Dáithí’s Law

• 88 transplants followed an expressed opt-in decision

Northern Ireland also saw an increase in living donation.

During the same period, 72 living donors donated a kidney or part of their liver, helping 69 patientsreceive a transplant.

‘Every registration counts’

Catherine McKeown, Organ Donation Promotion Manager at the Public Health Agency, said many people assume registering as a donor is enough.

She said the reality is that families are often asked to make a decision during one of the darkest moments of their lives.

“We understand that when families are approached about organ donation, they make difficult decisions at an already tragic time.

“That’s why we’re asking people to be ‘One in a Million’ – to help drive up the number of decisions recorded on the NHS Organ Donor Register. It gives your family the certainty that you want donation to go ahead, in the rare event that it’s possible.

“Only one per cent of people will ever be in a position to donate their organs after death, which is exactly why every registration counts.

“I would urge anyone who hasn’t already done so to express their decision to donate and to discuss it with their family. It is the best way to leave them certain of your wishes, and it could mean you go on to be a lifesaver.”

Because donation is only possible in very specific hospital circumstances, around 99% of people will never become organ donors after death.

That makes every potential donor extraordinarily precious.

A single donor can save or transform up to nine lives through organ donation, while tissue donation can help many more people.

‘They have given a future back to all of us’

Dáithí Mac Gabhann as he continues his recovery in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

For the Mac Gabhann family, today’s figures carry a deeply personal meaning.

After waiting eight years for a suitable heart, young Dáithí recently received the life-saving transplant his family had hoped and prayed for.

His father, Máirtín Mac Gabhann, said this year’s report is unlike any that came before it.

“For the past eight years, every Transplant Activity Report has been another reminder for our family that Dáithí was still waiting for the call. I can’t believe that this is the year that Dáithí has received the gift of a heart transplant.

“Even though Dáithí is only at the very beginning of his recovery, we’ve already seen just how transformational organ donation really is. We always believed organ donation was the greatest gift anyone could ever give, but over this past wee while we’ve had the privilege of seeing that gift in action.

“The difference in Dáithí has been incredible, and we’re so excited to see where this new chapter takes him.”

He said no words could ever fully express the family’s gratitude to the donor and their loved ones.

“We’ll never be able to thank Dáithí’s donor family enough. In the darkest moment of their lives, they chose to give life to another family. They haven’t just saved Dáithí’s life. They have hopefully given a future back to all of us.

“They have given his mummy and daddy hope again. They have given his brothers the potential to make the most precious memories together, and they have given so many people who love him the chance to watch him grow up.”

Dáithí Mac Gabhann as he continues his recovery in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

Máirtín said that is why he will continue encouraging people to register their decision and speak openly with their families.

“That’s why we’ll never stop encouraging people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register and, just as importantly, to have those conversations with the people they love. One conversation and one decision can change the lives of so many people.

“There are three promises that Dáithí has already made to his donor and their family. He won’t be sad about this gift. He will be grateful for it every single day. He will look after that precious gift, and he will live the very best life he possibly can. That’s the greatest thank you we can ever give.”

A Carrickfergus student’s second chance at life

Transplant recipient Connie Taylor

Nineteen-year-old Connie Taylor from Carrickfergus knows first-hand how one family’s decision can change lives forever.

Born with a rare condition affecting her digestive and urinary organs, Connie spent more than a year on the transplant waiting list before receiving a liver, stomach, pancreas and small bowel transplant at Birmingham Children’s Hospital when she was just 13 months old.

Reflecting on that journey, she said:

“I was born with a rare condition that meant my digestive and urinary organs didn’t have adequate muscle function. Upon diagnosis, I was subsequently put on the transplant waiting list. There was over a year of anxious waiting as my health continued to decline, but I received my transplant in 2008 at 13 months old, when the right donor match was found just in time.”

She said the generosity of one grieving family gave her the chance to grow up.

“I was lucky enough to receive a liver, stomach, pancreas and small bowel from a young boy who sadly passed away in an accident. His mother’s brave decision to donate his organs saved not only my life but, I understand, at least three others. I am eternally grateful to both of them.”

Now studying Screen Production at Ulster University in Belfast, performing with Queen’s Musical Theatre Society and pursuing her passion for filmmaking, Connie says organ donation has allowed her to embrace opportunities she once might never have had.

“Lately, I have been living my life to the fullest. I attend Ulster University for Screen Production and take any opportunity I can to perform onstage as part of Queen’s Musical Theatre Society. I have also found a lot of creative passions with crochet, baking and filmmaking.

“I hope to one day use my skills in the film industry to promote organ donation and share its importance with the world. I strongly encourage everyone and anyone to sign up for organ donation as you could give someone like me a second chance at life.”

How to record your decision

Health officials stress that no one is automatically added to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

People who want to opt in, opt out or change an existing decision must record it themselves.

Anyone can register regardless of age or most medical conditions.

To record your decision:

• Visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk

• Call 0300 123 23 23

Above all, the Public Health Agency is urging people to have an open conversation with those closest to them.

When families know what their loved one wanted, they are far more likely to honour that decision—and for someone waiting for a transplant, that one conversation could ultimately mean the difference between life and death.