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National Donor Day

Give the gift of life this National Donor Day - sign up to become an organ donor and help save countless lives!

Sunday

February 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEFebruary 14

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYPhilanthropy

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Celebrate National Donor Day on February 14th by showing your support for organ and tissue donation! This special day has been observed since 1998 to raise awareness about the importance of donating organs, tissues, blood, and marrow. It's a great way to honor those who have made lifesaving donations as well as remind everyone how they can make a difference in someone else’s life.

TIMELINE

National Donor Day Timeline

First Successful Kidney Transplant

The first successful kidney transplant took place at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

First Heart Transplant

Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world's first human-to-human heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

National Organ Transplant Act

The US Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act, establishing the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

Rose Parade Tradition Begins

The first Donate Life float appeared in the Rose Parade, a tradition that continues today to honor organ, eye and tissue donors nationwide.

Inception of National Donor Day

The United States Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with other health agencies, officially established National Donor Day.

Legal Document for Donor Registration

Donor registration became a legal document of gift in the US, making it binding and respected across all states.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Donor Day

Donate blood.

Giving blood is one of the most selfless acts a person can do, and it provides lifesaving help to those in need. Consider donating blood on National Donor Day.

ORGANIZE

Organize a fundraising event.

Organize a fundraiser or bake sale and donate the proceeds to your favorite charity. This is a great way to celebrate National Donor Day while also giving back to your community.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer your time.

Volunteering your time can be one of the most rewarding ways to celebrate National Donor Day. Look for local opportunities at churches, hospitals, or schools that need help.

SPREAD

Spread awareness.

Start conversations with your family and friends about the importance of becoming a donor and donating money or goods to charities. Share inspiring stories online to spread awareness about National Donor Day.

EDUCATE

Educate yourself.

Take some time to research different charities and organizations in your area so you know where you should be donating to. Understanding the impact of your donations is an important part of being a donor.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Donor Day

Donors increases awareness about organ donation

By celebrating National Donor Day, we create an avenue where public information about organ donation can be shared. It also serves as an opportunity for us to understand the importance of registering as organ donors and joining community led initiatives like Organ Procurement Organizations that facilitate donations from deceased donors.

Donors help save lives

Organ and tissue donors provide the most precious gift of all - life. Donations can help people who are waiting for transplants and who otherwise would not have had a chance to live. Celebrating National Donor Day is a great way to recognize the life-saving legacy of those brave individuals who choose to donate their organs and tissue, as well as the families of the deceased organ donors.

Donors improve quality of life

Organ donation literally gives someone another chance at life. From allowing an individual to receive a lifesaving heart transplant, to giving someone their sight back with a corneal transplant, the list of possibilities is both inspiring and heartbreaking. National Donor Day celebrates those amazing stories of hope, and encourages more people to join in this life-changing act.