Lifesaving organ donations in the United States increased in 2019 for the ninth year in a row. According to preliminary data provided by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), 11,870 deceased organ donors provided organs for transplant last year, reflecting a 10.7 percent increase in organ donors over 2018.

Jake was an athletic 15-year-old who loved the Washington Capitals and was a talented hockey player himself and played on his high school team. Junior came to the United States from Colombia when he was five, had recently graduated from high school and was working toward his goal of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. Both had so much more to accomplish.

More than 113,000 people are currently on the organ transplant waiting list in the United States and the donation and transplantation community works every day to help save and improve their lives. Narrowing the gap between available organs and those in need of a lifesaving transplant is a complex problem that deserves attention. The following information provides important context for discussion of how we can improve the U.S. system for organ donation and transplantation and save more lives.

Based on data for the first eight months of the year, 2019 is on track to see a 9 percent increase in deceased organ donors over 2018. Through August 31, 7,786 deceased donors have provided 23,797 organs for transplant according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) national database. At this pace, the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) projects 2019 could see an additional 1,000 donors and 3,000 organs transplanted over last year.

Two recent studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) look at different organ donation and transplantation policies in European countries and ask the question: Would the United States benefit from adopting similar policies? 

As Molly was brought from the intensive care unit to the operating room to donate her organs, her shipmates, family, friends and hospital staff lined the hallway, a growing tradition known as an “Honor Walk.” We stood silently in the weight of the moment, collectively mourning such a tragic death and expressing our gratitude for the generosity of this ultimate act. Last year in the United States more people than ever gave the gift of life by donating their organs upon their death. This isn’t the type of record that makes headlines. But it should be.

We marvel at the science. Our hearts break alongside grieving families. And we celebrate the lives saved when the gift of an organ is given. As someone who has worked in this space for more than 30 years, I am proud of the role that organ procurement organizations (OPOs) play in providing care — and hope.