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. In Kentucky, residents can visit Donate Life KY to learn more and register their decision.
Beyond deceased donation, living donation offers another avenue to save lives. Living donors can provide a kidney or a portion of their liver to someone in need, significantly reducing the recipient’s waiting time and improving outcomes. For instance, a kidney from a living donor offers patients an alternative to years of dialysis and time on the national transplant waiting list.
National Donate Life Month serves as a vital reminder of the lifesaving power of organ donation. By registering as donors and advocating for the cause, individuals can offer hope to the thousands awaiting transplants. Together, we can bridge the gap between the need for and the availability of organs, ultimately saving and enhancing lives.
For more information on organ donation and to learn how you can get involved, visit Donate Life America.