Organ Donation Day 2026 promotes altruism among younger generation in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's Organ Donation Day 2026 was held on 14 November to encourage registration and raise awareness. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau urged citizens to sign up on the Central Register, noting over 420,000 registrants but more than 2,000 patients waiting for transplants.
Hong Kong's Organ Donation Day 2026 was held on 14 November, with the government focusing on spreading the message of altruistic organ donation to younger generations. Secretary for Health Professor Lo Chung-mau, who officiated at the event, said: 'For patients waiting for organ transplants, organ transplantation is the hope for them to extend their lives. Every additional citizen willing to donate organs ignites more hope for patients in need, allowing them to be freed from illness sooner.' He encouraged citizens not yet registered on the Central Organ Donation Register to do so, and to inform their families of their wishes.
Other officiating guests included Under Secretary for Health Dr vanessa Fan, Director of Health Dr Ronald Lam, Chief of Health Promotion Dr So Pui-sheung, Assistant Director of Broadcasting Yip Kwun-lam, and Hospital Authority Chief Executive Dr Lee Ha-yan. Representatives from organisations promoting organ donation, including the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, Hong Kong Kidney Foundation, Hong Kong Medical Association, Hong Kong Organ Transplant Foundation, Hong Kong Society of Nephrology, Hong Kong Transplantation Society, and Hong Kong Transplant Sports Association, also attended.
The event featured a performance by the Kidney Children Dream Choir, which used song to show how organ transplants change recipients' lives and to honour donors. Two young organ recipients shared their post-transplant experiences, expressing gratitude through their positive attitudes. Organ Donation Day 2026 ambassador Aimee Chan also used a fairy tale to spread the message of altruism to students and parents.
Since the launch of the Organ Donation Promotion Charter in 2016, more than 600 businesses, organisations and schools have joined. In 2023, the Department of Health upgraded the Central Register system to allow citizens to register or check their status using the 'iAM Smart' mobile app. This year, the department has set up more than 2,000 promotional booths across Hong Kong's 18 districts and held over 20 health talks and training workshops. The number of registrants on the Central Register has exceeded 420,000, a record high.
However, more than 2,000 patients in Hong Kong are still waiting for suitable organ transplants. The Department of Health has launched a new promotional campaign, with a mobile organ donation van touring various locations from 12 November to 20 January next year, allowing citizens to register on-site. The department urged the public to remember the '3S' of organ donation: Sign up on the Central Register, Speak out to family, and Spread out the message to relatives and friends.
