Bullet flag-united-kingdom flag-ireland

Special care

Chiesi focusses on the treatment and care of patients suffering from chronic severe conditions such as cardiovascular disease, solid organ transplantation and ulcerative colitis

Cardiology

Organ transplant

Ulcerative colitis

Organ transplant

Organ transplant is a medical procedure that involves removing an organ from one individual and placing it into the body of a recipient.1

Examples of solid organs that can be transplanted:2

Kidneys

Liver

Lungs

Heart

Pancreas

Small bowel

Organ donation provides the opportunity to save or transform the life of someone else.1 It is possible to donate some organs while you are alive (called living organ donation) or to have your organs donated after you die.1 Organ donation is a gracious act that can help save thousands of lives.1

There has been remarkable progress in the field of transplantation over the last thirty years.3 Success rates for transplants are on the rise due to improvements in medical approaches, leading to substantial increases in the length of time patients can expect to live after receiving a new organ.3 

This progress is also due in part to the huge successes in expanding the pool of organs eligible for donation.4,5 As a result, the number of life-saving transplants, particularly for kidneys, livers, and hearts, has increased. 3 

Furthermore, a growing number of people are registering as organ donors, with just over 28.1 million opt-in registrations held on the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR) by the end of March 2024.6 Between 2008 and 2018 the UK managed to double the rate of deceased donations.5 These advancements offer a brighter future for those in need of organ transplants.

Despite the high number of successful organ donations in the UK, unfortunately there is a still a discrepancy between the availability of suitable organs (supply) and the number of people needing a transplant (demand).6 In the UK, only one percent of people who die each year do so in the right circumstances and locations to be eligible for organ donation and potentially save a life.6,7

Transplant list wait times can be long and vary depending on the type of transplant needed. For example, it is 2–3 years for kidneys, 1.5 years for lungs, and 3–4 months for a liver.9–11

Raising awareness about organ donation can help to increase the number and range of organs available for transplantation in the UK, making it possible to save more lives. It’s important to speak to friends and family about organ donation and transplantation, especially for families from black and minority ethnic communities, where there may be a greater need for donor matches.

Further support and resources

Organ transplants help thousands of individuals and families in the UK. Charities and organisations offer support, resources and raise awareness of the importance of organ transplant.

For resources to support you with your condition:

For organ-specific support, visit the following websites:

For information about becoming an organ donor:

Real example of living with a transplant

With Andy Cole

What I Wish I’d Known…About Altruistic Donation and the UK Kidney Sharing Scheme

In this video, Dr Stephanie Chong provides an overview of the UK Kidney Sharing Scheme – which matches organ recipients with donors through two-way exchange, three-way exchange and altruistic donation. The patient interviewees share their personal reflections on engaging with living donation, both directed and non-directed.

What I Wish I’d Known…About Being a Living Kidney Donor for a Loved One

In this video, Dr Stephanie Chong discusses the benefits of living kidney donation and presents data on the current number of transplants in the UK. The patient interviewees answer questions about the experience of receiving/giving an organ from or to a loved one.

What I Wish I’d Known…About My Medicines and Me

In this video, Dr Mark Harber briefly talks about the longevity of kidney transplantation and the importance of anti-rejection medications. Dr Sarah Afuwape outlines some of the barriers to good medicines concordance. The patient interviewees discuss their journey post-transplantation and the significance of taking their medicines.

Patient Resources

If you’re a patient, or a carer of a patient, who has been prescribed one of our products, you’ll find information and resources to help manage your condition here

Access resources

References

  1. NHS Blood and Transplant Organ Donation. What is organ donation and transplantation?. Available at: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/helping-you-to-decide/about-organ-donation/faq/organ-donation-and-transplantation/.
  2. NHS Blood and Transplant. Organ Transplantation. Available at: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/organ-transplantation/.
  3. Grant P et al. Ann Surg Open 2024;5:e383.
  4. Lewis A et al. Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2021;35:100585.
  5. Johnston-Webber J et al. Transpl Int 2023;36:11012.
  6. NHS Blood and Transplant. Transplant Activity Report 2023. Available at: https://nhsbtdbe.blob.core.windows.net/umbraco-assets-corp/33779/activity-report-2023-2024.pdf.
  7. NHS Blood and Transplant. Get the facts about organ donation. Available at: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/about-organ-donation/get-the-facts/.
  8. UK Parliament. Organ donation in England and the UK: Statistics and law changes. Available at: https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/organ-donation-in-england-and-the-uk-statistics-and-law-changes/.
  9. NHS Blood and Transplant. Waiting list – Kidney transplant. Available at: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/organ-transplantation/kidney/receiving-a-kidney/how-long-is-the-wait-for-a-kidney/.
  10. NHS Blood and Transplant. How long is the wait for a lung?. Available at: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/organ-transplantation/lung/receiving-a-lung/how-long-is-the-wait-for-a-lung/.
  11. Waiting list – Liver transplant. Available at: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/organ-transplantation/liver/receiving-a-liver/how-long-is-the-wait-for-a-liver/.