Mark had hoped to take his son on an epic World Cup adventure (Image: Mark Green)
A lifelong England supporter who desperately needs a kidney transplant is urging fans to use Monday’s match breaks to register their organ donation decision. Mark Green, 47, had dreamed of taking his family on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to this year’s World Cup. But his hopes were dashed when his kidney function plummeted to less than 15% and he was added to the NHS transplant waiting list.
Mark needs dialysis three times a week and cannot travel more than four hours from London, in case he is called in for the operation. He said: “There is no family holiday on the agenda because to go away, I’d need to suspend myself from the transplant waiting list.
“Being on the list put a dent in my plans to travel to the US to watch at least one England match in this year’s World Cup with my wife, son and daughter.
“I’d been dreaming of this being the tournament that I finally got to take my son to, but that goal will now be pushed down the road to Spain or Portugal in 2030.
“I’m hopeful that by then, I’ll have had my transplant and be back to health, living my life as normally as I can.”
Mark works for for the Bank of America, one of the main sponsors of this year’s World Cup, so probably could have secured tickets.
He was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2017 after a routine health check at work. He was added to the waiting list in October 2024 and started haemodialysis in February 2025. The process uses a machine to filter waste products and toxins from his blood.
Kidneys are the most needed organ, making up two thirds of the overall list. Latest NHS figures show 6,939 people were waiting for a kidney at the end of March 2025.
Mark has attended Gillingham FC matches since he was around 12 years old — the age his son is now. He also runs the Lordswood FC U12 Black youth football club for children who haven’t played for teams previously.
The football fanatic followed the England team with his friends when he was well enough, including to the 2019 Nations League in Portugal and the Euros in Germany in 2024.
Mark has enjoyed travelling with his friends to England matches (Image: Mark Green)
Mark has been watching the World Cup from home but cannot even enjoy a pint, as he gave up alcohol to give his health the best chance.
As the Three Lions prepare for their round of 16 clash with Mexico, he said: “My earliest World Cup memory is of Mexico ’86, so to watch England back in the Azteca will be great, but let’s hope for no hand of God moment!
“Altitude will be a challenge but England should have enough quality to see it over the line — I predict it’ll be 2-1 England.”
Mark urged fans to “take two minutes, either during half time or one of the hydration breaks, to grab your phone, head to the NHS organ donation website, or your NHS app, and confirm your organ donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register”.
He added: “It takes two minutes but could be life-changing for someone like me. To get my life and that of my family back on track would be the greatest gift.
“The transplant waiting list is at its highest ever level and the only way we can get that down is by more people formally confirming their decision. So Come on England! Let’s support the boys on the pitch and the rest of the country off it.”
Mark hopes he will be well enough to travel with his family in 2030 (Image: Mark Green)
Almost 1,400 people have died while waiting for an organ in England since the end of the 2022 World Cup. In the same period, 16,000 joined the transplant waiting list — a 23% increase.
Of the four nations, England has the lowest proportion of the population registered to donate upon death.
England now has an opt-out system for organ donation but family members are still consulted, so registering your decision ensures your wishes are clear.
Anthony Clarkson, of NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “While we’re all cheering on the Three Lions and hoping they bring it home, there is another way we can all support England and get us to the top of a table, and that’s by confirming your donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
“If we all come together as a team, we can work towards the goal of more people getting the transplant they so desperately need.”
