Donate a Kidney UK

29/10/2026

Connect with someone who has experience of living kidney donation, with the UK Living Kidney Donation Buddy Support Service. Buddies can offer a listening ear, share their stories, and provide reassurance from a place of real-life insight as they understand the emotional highs and lows, the practical challenges, and the kinds of questions you may be asking yourself.

Choose which Buddy you'd like to speak to, with options to find someone to speak to based on age, location, ethnicity, gender and religious beliefs.

Visit our website below to learn more 💜
https://www.donateakidney.co.uk/requesting-a-buddy/

28/10/2026

Living kidney donation in the UK is entirely voluntary. If you’re thinking about donating a kidney, it’s important to know that you can change your mind at any time.

Whether you’re early in the process or close to the operation date, there’s never any obligation to go ahead. Your decision will always be respected, and your health and wellbeing will remain the top priority.

Visit our website to learn more about what's involved in living kidney donation and what you should consider if you're considering donating 💜

Remember: Living kidney donation is a choice – and it’s always your choice.

Living kidney donation in the UK is entirely voluntary. It's important to remember that you can change your mind at any time.

27/10/2026

It's inspiring to hear James Bourne from Busted sharing how his brother "saved my life" by donating a kidney to him, after doctors had given him "a few years left to live".

Most of us are born with two kidneys, but we only need one to lead a healthy life. There are now over 7,200 people in the UK on the kidney transplant waiting list, just as James was before his brother donated, and six people die every week while waiting for a kidney.

Read about James' experiences below, or visit our website if you'd like to learn more about what's involved in living kidney donation and the difference every donation can make 💜

The guitarist says doctors had given him "a few years left to live", but is now recovering well.

26/10/2026

"If I had another kidney to spare, I would donate in a heartbeat. It was life changing for my husband, and for me as a person."

Stephanie donated a kidney to her husband Howard, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney failure in 2018. The two are now fit and healthy, and have been able to enjoy their life together to the full.

Read about their journey in full on our website 💜
https://www.donateakidney.co.uk/stories/stephanies-story/

23/10/2026

Selma first decided she'd donate one of her kidneys to someone she didn't know after reading about someone who donated when he was 83 years old.

"At that time I was in my late 50s and I thought 'Well that's it, then! There's no age limit to this.'"

"I did it, and if I did it then you can do it."

Watch her full story on our YouTube page and discover what's involved in non-directed kidney donation 💜
https://youtu.be/FreOLHwvR7k

22/10/2026

NHS Blood and Transplant is running their quarterly matching run to link people who are waiting for a kidney with people who are looking to donate a kidney, in order to find the best matches for everyone involved.

If you are taking part in the matching run, you can speak to someone who has been through the process themselves to chat about what to expect and answer any questions you may have 💜

Visit our website to learn more and request a Buddy to speak to.
https://www.donateakidney.co.uk/requesting-a-buddy/

21/10/2026

7,203 people are currently waiting for a kidney transplant in the UK.

A living kidney donation is the best current treatment option for most people who need a transplant.

In the last year alone, 984 people donated a kidney, including 58 who donated to a stranger. Together, living donors now account for more than 42% of all organ donations across kidney and liver transplantation 💜

Donating a kidney to someone who urgently needs it is one of the most remarkable things you can do.

Could it be inside you to save a life? To find out more about living kidney donation please visit

Donating a kidney is an incredible thing to do. A living kidney donation is the best current treatment option for people who need a transplant

19/10/2026

"My kidney donor gave me a life to live for. I have done things I had never considered doing whilst on dialysis."

Ruby was born with reflux of the kidneys, which over time developed into renal failure.

"The ten years of health I have had mean the world to me. The memories I have been able to make because of my donor are priceless and I count my lucky stars every day that I get to do all of these wonderful things because of him."

Discover the life-changing difference a kidney donation made to her by visiting our website https://www.donateakidney.co.uk/stories/rubys-story/

16/10/2026

"When I tell people I’m a living kidney donor, they always say how amazing it is to donate. I appreciate what they mean, but it’s also very doable."

"I think anyone that can do it should give it serious consideration, you are literally saving a life. My nephew gets to lead an almost normal life post transplant which is all we could wish for."

Read more of Jo's inspiring experiences donating a kidney to her nephew Louis before he needed to start dialysis treatment by visiting our website 💜

https://www.donateakidney.co.uk/stories/jos-story/

15/10/2026

Choosing whether you could donate a kidney is an important decision.

If you're considering whether donating is right for you, you can talk to someone who's donated themselves and understands the emotional highs and lows, the practical challenges, and the kinds of questions you may be asking yourself.

If you'd like to talk to someone like living kidney donor Angela for an open, honest conversation about what's involved, visit our website below. The service is free and there’s no obligation to commit to donation just because you’ve requested a buddy. It’s simply a chance to have honest, informal conversations with someone who’s been there so you can make the best decision for you 💜

https://www.donateakidney.co.uk/requesting-a-buddy/