Celebrating the gift of organ donation

During Organ Donation Week 2026, GOSH hosted its first Donor Family Tea Party, bringing together families whose children gave the extraordinary gift of life through organ donation.

The event provided a space for reflection, remembrance and connection, as families came together to honour the lives and legacies of their loved ones.

Hosted by Sophia Varadkar, Chief Medical Officer and Jay Patel, Chair of the Organ Donation Committee at GOSH, the afternoon offered a welcoming environment for donor families to remember their children and spend time with others who understand the unique journey of choosing to donate your child’s organs.

Whilst organ donation often begins in moments of profound loss, its impact can last a lifetime. The event was a moment to mark the extraordinary generosity of children and families who, during the most difficult circumstances, chose to help others and offer hope and a future to children waiting for a transplant.

For many families who attended the tea party, it was their first visit back to GOSH since the loss of their child and they found comfort being with others who shared similar experiences.

There are currently around 8700 people, including 228 children, on the transplant list in the UK waiting for an organ. Many of these children may spend weeks and months living in hospital waiting for an organ, being away from their family home and missing out on school and all the usual childhood activities.

For this year’s Organ Donation Week, NHS Blood and Transplant’s campaign highlighted a significant decline in organ donation and transplantation across the UK. Family consent rates have also fallen in recent years, leading to missed opportunities for donation when loved ones' wishes are unknown.

There is a real and immediate need to talk openly about the gift of donation and for adults, and indeed young people. to ensure their family know their wishes.

Sophia Varadkar, Chief Medical Officer, said:

“At GOSH we see every day the transformative power of the gift of organ donation, and we also see families at some of the hardest points of their lives who make the extraordinary decision to donate their child’s organs.

“This event was an opportunity to honour those children and their families whose generosity has given hope to others during the most unimaginable of circumstances.”

For the families gathered at GOSH, waiting list numbers real children, families and stories. The afternoon served as a powerful reminder of the compassion and generosity that make transplantation possible, and of the difference one family's decision can make to many others.

Sophia added: “I would encourage all families to talk openly about organ donation, about what you want and what you would want for your children should the worst happen.”

The event was made possible through the dedication of colleagues from across GOSH, including Pascale du Pré, Paediatric Intensive Care Consultant and Organ Donation Clinical Lead, Deborah Lovall, Specialist Nurse for Organ Donation, and members of the organ donation and transplant community. It also marked an important step in our wider commitment to supporting donor families and normalising conversations about organ donation.

As part of the Trust's Organ Donation Strategy, we aim to ensure every potential donation opportunity is recognised, while providing compassionate support to children and families throughout and beyond the donation journey. By creating a dedicated space for remembrance and connection, the event reflects our commitment to honouring donors and raising awareness of the life-changing impact of transplantation.

For more information about organ donation or to record your decision, visit the NHS Organ Donor Register. Just as importantly, talk to your loved ones about your wishes. One conversation could one day help save lives.