The Public Health Agency and Translink celebrating Organ Donation Week and the Gift of Life

Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement
The Grand Organ Donation Life Cycle

On Thursday 25 September, Translink hosted a Public Health Agency (PHA) event to mark Organ Donation Week 2025 – ‘The Grand Organ Donation Life Cycle’ event saw staff, commuters, and a wide range of participants from within the organ donation and transplantation ‘family’ take part in a virtual cycle to Dublin. 

Taking part in the impressive and bustling transport hub of Grand Central Station, the event raised vital awareness of the importance of organ donation and transplantation in saving and transforming lives. It was also an opportunity for those impacted by donation or transplantation to share their story with the many commuters passing through the station. 

The event marked a developing partnership between PHA and Translink, amplifying organ donation awareness to a significant audience by educating staff and customers on the importance of donation.  This collaboration is helping to share vital messages as well as inspiring individuals to consider their donation choices.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “Organ Donation Week is about small, simple actions that can have a lifesaving impact. I thank every single person who has already signed the Organ Donor Register.

“The introduction of deemed consent, known as Daithi’s Law, in 2023 means that most adults are presumed to have consented to organ donation unless they have explicitly opted out. But it is still important that families know about your decision, as they will always be a part of the donation discussion. That is why signing the register, talking to your family about your decision and sharing the message are really important steps this Organ Donation Week.”

Public Health Agency Chief Executive Aidan Dawson praised the initiatives to date:

“We have been delighted to partner with Translink particularly on this highly engaging event for Organ Donation Week. Organ donation gives the gift of life and also hope, to those awaiting a transplant. Working with partners such as Translink helps us to raise awareness of the topic with new audiences. The aim is to encourage people to consider their decision, to record it on the Organ Donor Register, and to share it with loved ones. As families will always be consulted before donation would proceed, in the small number of cases where this is possible, it’s so important that families are certain of what their loved one wanted, to help them support their decision.”

Translink Group Chief Executive, Chris Conway echoed the importance of raising awareness of organ donation, saying:

“We are pleased to support this special event dedicated to raising awareness around organ donation.

At Translink, our mission is to connect people and this landmark location provides an accessible, high-footfall space that brings together a diverse cross-section of the community. It’s the perfect setting to spark meaningful conversations and share life-saving messages that matter.”

Steve Hogan is a Translink employee and has been central to the development of the new partnership and the Life Cycle event.  Steve and wife Linda are parents of Laurie Hogan who became an organ donor in 2020, aged just 22.  He was able to save 4 lives.  Steve welcomed the initiative saying:  

“I am grateful for the love and support shown by colleagues at Translink in helping Linda and I with something that has become very personal to us both.  By supporting the hosting of this event for Organ Donation Week, Translink are providing a superb platform to share vital information to all; information that will, I am sure, help to grow awareness of Dáithí’s Law and encourage those sometimes-difficult conversations around organ donation decisions and the gift of life to others less fortunate.”

Special guests at the event included Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Tracy Kelly.  On hand to officially start the event was young organ donation campaigner Dáithí Mac Gabhann, who was delighted to get the cycle underway. Dáithí is on the waiting list for a heart transplant and campaigned for the change in law to an opt-out system in 2023.

For more information about organ donation or to register your decision, visit www.organdonationni.info. 

Organ donation

  • Someone in the UK will die today waiting for an organ transplant
  • On average, more than three people a day died or became too ill for a transplant in the UK over the past decade
  • There are 153 people in NI on the waiting list (as at 31 August 2025)
  • As of 8 September 2025, 59% of people in NI had signed the Organ Donor Register (1,099,396 / 57% to opt-in and 29,965 / 2% to opt-out)
  • The law around organ donation changed to an opt-out system on 1 June 2023. The law is known as 'Dáithí's Law' means, in the event that organ donation is a possibility after you die, it will be considered that you agree to being an organ donor unless you choose to opt out or are in an excluded group.
  • No one is automatically added to the NHS Organ Donor Register, unless you record a decision, no details will be held for you.  You can opt-in, opt-out or change your decision at any time
  • Even though the law has changed, everyone is encouraged to continue to record opt-in decisions on the NHS Organ Donor Register. This helps to leave them certain of your decision as families will always be involved before organ donation goes ahead
  • It is quick and easy to register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. Call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk
  • Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register; age and medical conditions are not necessarily a barrier to donation
  • Whatever you decide, it is important talk with your loved ones to give them the certainty they need to support your decision
  • Families are always involved in organ donation discussions. You can make things easier for your family by telling them you want to happen.
  • Only 50% of families agree to donation if they don’t know their loved one’s decision, but this rises to 90% if they know their loved one wanted to donate
  • One donor can save or transform up to nine lives through organ donation and save and transform even more by donating tissue
  • Each year in Northern Ireland around 10-15 people die while awaiting a transplant
  • Only 1% of people die in situations where donation is possible (in hospital in specific circumstances), therefore every donation is precious
  • 90% of people in Northern Ireland support organ donation

  • You can become a living donor: 

    Across the UK, more than 1,000 people each year donate a kidney or part of their liver while they are still alive to a relative, friend or even someone they do not know. The most commonly donated organ by a living person is a kidney. Part of a liver can also be transplanted from a living donor to help someone in need of a liver transplant.