Facts and Statistics

Patients waiting for transplants (as of 8/15/08):

• Life Connection of Ohio (LCO) serves as the vital link between the organ donor and transplant recipient.
  
  
• In 2007, LCO coordinated the recovery of organs from 55 organ donors, providing 198 lifesaving transplants.
  
  
• The organ shortage grows at a staggering rate as approximately every 10 minutes another person is added to the National Transplant Waiting List.
  
  
• 18 men, women and children will die each day waiting for an organ. In Ohio, 210 people died waiting for an organ transplant in 2007.
  
  
• Annually over 1600 Ohioans have their sight restored through cornea transplants. More than 1,000,000 people benefit from tissue transplants each year.
  
  
• A single donor may provide organs and tissues for more than 50 people in need.
  
  
• Donation does not restrict regular funeral services.
  
  
• Medical treatment will not suffer if you are a donor.
  
  
• Your family will not pay or receive fees if you are a donor.
  
  
• Most major religions support donation and many openly encourage it.
  
  
• As of July 1, 2002 you may join the Ohio Donor Registry. Joining the registry is a way to legally give consent for the anatomical gift of organs, tissues and eyes upon your death. You may join the registry now at www.donatelifeohio.org or at your local BMV when you obtain or new your Ohio driver license / State I.D. It is still important that you share your decision with your family because they will be consulted as part of the process which determines suitability for transplantation.

Stats provided by United Network for Organ Sharing, UNOS.