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.

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.