“April is National Donate Life Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation, while also honoring donors and encouraging individuals to register as donors. Established by Donate Life America, this observance highlights the critical need for donors and celebrates the transformative impact of donation on recipients’ lives.​

As of March 2025, more than 103,000 people in the United States are on the national transplant waiting list, hoping for lifesaving organ transplants. Alarmingly, another person is added to this list every eight minutes. Despite the generosity of donors, the demand continues to outpace the supply, leading to an average of 16 deaths each day among those awaiting transplants.

In 2024, the United States witnessed a record-breaking 48,000 organ transplants, reflecting an ongoing increase in donation and transplantation efforts. Each donor has the potential to save up to eight lives and enhance over 75 more through tissue donation. Kentucky alone has made significant strides in organ donation. In 2023, the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) reported a 25% increase in organ donations and a 20% increase in organ transplants compared to the previous year. This led to 299 organ donors facilitating 729 transplants, saving 693 lives—the highest number recorded in any given year for the state. However, despite these advancements, more than 1,000 Kentuckians are still awaiting lifesaving organ transplants.

Registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor is a straightforward yet profound way to contribute. Individuals can sign up through their state’s donor registry or at the Department of Motor Vehicles when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license.”

Ephraim McDowell Health

(National Donate Life Month: A Time to Save Lives Through Organ Donation – Ephraim McDowell Health)