National Donor Day

National Donor day is February 14, 2025. This is a time to focus on all types of organ donations (eyes, tissues, blood, organ, platelets and bone marrow). By educating and sharing the Donate Life message we can take small steps to help save and heal more lives, and to honor the donor’s legacy of generosity and compassion. 

It is a day to recognize those who have given and received the gift of life through organ, eye and tissue donation, those currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant, and those who have passed away waiting to receive an organ donation. 

What does it mean to be an organ donor?

According to OPTN (Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network), as of January 15, 2025 there are currently 104,571 individuals in the United States waiting to receive the gift of organ donation. Becoming an organ donor means giving the gift of life to someone in need via the donation of your organs. 

Organ donation is broken down into 2 categories, deceased donor and living donor donations. People who are healthy have the option of becoming a living donor most commonly via a liver or kidney transplant. 

A deceased donor donation is where that individual decided to become a donor before their death or their families decide to donate their loved ones organs, tissues, corneas, after a person passes away.

How much can organ donation benefit?

Becoming an organ donor means something different to everyone, but the one thing that people who decide to donate to others know is that they are giving the gift of life to someone who is in need. A few general stats include: 

• When an individual or family decides to donate they have the potential to affect the lives of 8 individuals who are currently waiting for an organ donation.
• Tissue donors can help heal up to 75 people who are in need 
• People who donate their corneas can restore sight to two people 

How do you register?

By registering as a donor, you're making a selfless and potentially life-saving decision that impacts families and communities. You can register to become a donor when you renew your drivers license through your state DMV. You can also do it on the Nebraska Live On website at https://liveonnebraska.org.