Sheffield artist Pete McKee unveils six organ donor card designs to spark life-saving conversations

Sheffield artist and transplant recipient Pete McKee has unveiled six specially designed NHS organ donor cards aimed at encouraging more people to talk to their loved ones about organ donation and consent to becoming a donor.

The cards were launched at a special event at Pete McKee's studio in Leah's Yard, Sheffield, attended by transplant recipients, donor families, healthcare leaders and supporters of the Westfield Health British Transplant Games - which come to Sheffield between 5^th and 9^th August.

Pete signed the cards for attendees - including the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Andrew Sangar - to share with family, friends and colleagues in the hope that each card will spark a conversation about consenting to organ donation.

The initiative comes at a time when the national transplant waiting list has reached a record high, with more than 8,200 people currently waiting for a transplant across the UK, including more than 140 people in South Yorkshire. 

The cards also highlight the crucial role families play in organ donation decisions, as relatives still need to consent their loved one’s donation after they have died.

Pete’s ‘spread the word’ design features a family’s WhatsApp conversation in which someone is telling their loved ones they are now an organ donor, while his ‘steel worker’ card, which shows molten metal being poured into a heart-shaped cast, is a love letter to Sheffield’s proud industrial heritage.

Pete, who received a life-saving liver transplant in 2017, created the six designs to help people express their wishes and start discussions that could ultimately save lives.

He said: "The organ donor card is a great way of confirming to your loved ones that you wish to donate your organs, because it is your family who make the final decision about donating your organs once you are gone.

"Having received a transplant myself, I know first-hand how life-changing organ donation can be. I hope these designs encourage people to have that conversation with their families and make their wishes known.

"I'm particularly proud to launch the cards ahead of the Westfield Health British Transplant Games coming to Sheffield this summer. The Games celebrate what is possible after transplantation and the incredible gift that donors and their families give to others."

Mahmud Nawaz, Chair of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Games ambassador, first became aware his late wife’s wishes to donate after finding her NHS organ donor card.

Mahmud also spoke at the event about the importance of addressing health inequalities amongst the Asian community when it comes to organ donation.

He said: "Those from Asian backgrounds are half as likely to consent to donate, but are twice as likely to need a transplant – that's the health inequality we are facing.

"Organ donor cards help people communicate their wishes clearly to loved ones. By having those conversations, more families can feel confident supporting donation and helping others receive a second chance at life.

"The British Transplant Games are a powerful reminder of the thousands of people whose lives have been transformed because someone said 'yes' to organ donation."

The donor card launch forms part of the build-up to the 2026 Westfield Health British Transplant Games, which are on track to be the biggest in the event’s history, with more than 2,500 people, including transplant recipients, living donors and donor families, expected to participate in 26 different sports.

The Games are returning to Sheffield for the first time since 2013 and are the flagship event of the Transplant Active campaign, which promotes active recovery for transplant recipients and increases awareness of the benefits of organ donation.

Steve Purdham, Chief Executive of Westfield Health, principal sponsors of the Games, said: “Imagine if you were told that just by having a conversation with your family you could save up to nine people’s lives, improve up to 50 people’s lives and help hundreds more.

“The launch of these donor cards proves that every person holds a quiet superpower: the simple act of talking to loved ones about organ donation. In the run up to the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, we want to spark those vital conversations because, by taking a moment to share your wishes, you can change countless futures.”

People can find out more about organ donation, register their decision and download an organ donor card by visiting the NHS Organ Donation website.