Am I too old to be an organ donor?
“This may sound odd, but I’ve been thinking a lot about organ donation. I’ve always felt like it’s something I want to do when I pass away, though I’ve never put anything in writing. But do I need to register somewhere? Can I choose what I donate? Am I too old at 68? My wife thinks I’m being morbid!”
Ray, Leeds
Thanks for this important question, Ray.
I'll be blunt: organ donation saves lives. There are over 8000 people in the UK waiting for a donated organ (NHS Blood and Transplant Data 2026), and every year over 400 people die while on the transplant list (NHSBT Annual Activity Report 2026). And that's not counting hundreds more who pass away after being removed from the list due to deteriorating health.
In other words, thousands of people in this country pass away simply because of a lack of suitable organ donations. So by considering this now, you're helping to give others a chance of life even while thinking about your own death. That’s not morbid – it’s commendable!
Just to be clear, we're talking about donation which happens after your death. Organs suitable for donation include everything from your heart, lungs, liver and kidneys, to your bones, skin, tendons and corneas (eye tissue - try not to squirm!). Around 1 in 100 people die in circumstances suitable for their organs to be donated, usually in intensive care in a hospital. There is currently no upper age limit for organ donation, and organs are assessed individually.
The good news is that you don't need to do much at all. The whole of the UK now operates an “opt-out” system, which means you are considered a willing donor unless you specifically opt out.
That said, many families refuse donation even when their loved one has not opted out. Sometimes there are good reasons for this - it’s a difficult time, after all. But often it's because they simply weren't aware of their family member's wishes. So I will repeat a piece of advice I give in most of my articles: talk to your family! You can let them know you want to be an organ donor when you pass away, explain your reasons, and ask them not to overrule your wishes. If they find this kind of conversation uncomfortable, you may also wish to speak to your doctor to make your wishes clear.
Remember that you can withdraw your consent for organ donation at any time, if you change your mind. The simplest way is via the NHS Organ Donation website, which is also a great source of further information.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or financial advice. Details are accurate at the time of publishing, and no liability is accepted for any inaccuracies or future changes. Always seek independent advice before making financial, legal or medical decisions.
