(Oklahoma) For the fifth consecutive year, LifeShare broke its previous record and coordinated the donation of lifesaving organs from 188 donors whose generous gifts resulted in 542 organs transplanted in 2018, saving 488 lives.
LifeShare is the federally designated organ procurement organization in the state of Oklahoma and is responsible for organ and tissue donation statewide.
In 2017, LifeShare recovered 183 organ donors, passing the organization’s all-time high record of 180 donors set in 2016.
“As we look back on five years’ of unprecedented growth and record-breaking performance, we are humbled by the generosity of Oklahomans and their willingness to help others, by the support of our community and hospitals, and by the talents of our staff,” explained Jeffrey Orlowski, President and CEO of LifeShare of Oklahoma.
Last year, LifeShare also broke its previous record and coordinated the donation of life enhancing tissue from 1,036 donors whose generous gifts could impact more than 77,700 people. Tissue donation will impact people through bone donations to improve mobility, skin donations to heal burn patients, cornea donations to restore sight and heart valve donations to repair life-threatening defects.
In 2017, LifeShare recovered tissue from 789 donors, passing the organization’s all-time high record of 725 donors set in 2016.
“We are proud of these accomplishments and hope to continue to have an impact on nearly 114,000 people currently waiting across the nation for a lifesaving transplant,” said Orlowski. “We encourage all Oklahomans to register to be organ, eye and tissue donors so more lives can be saved.”
This record breaking year, more than 488 lives were saved through organ and tissue donation. The need for transplant is growing, and there are still approximately 700 Oklahomans currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
LifeShare encourages all Oklahomans to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor and to share your decision with your family. You can give the gift of life by registering to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at www.LifeShareRegistry.org. For more information about LifeShare, visit www.lifeshareok.org.
About LifeShare
LifeShare is a nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant purposes. We work closely with five transplant centers and 145 healthcare organizations in the state of Oklahoma to facilitate donation. Additionally, we strive to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation through public education.
For more information about LifeShare, please visit www.LifeShareOK.org.
