“On Friday, September 9, the United States of America achieved its 1 millionth organ transplant. This historic milestone and world record was confirmed by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the nonprofit powering the U.S. organ donation and transplantation system. Many of these transplants have been orchestrated by Tennessee Donor Services, the engine behind the Tennessee organ donation and transplant system. Tennessee Donor Services has single handedly facilitated thousands of organ transplants, significantly contributing to this major milestone.
The first successful transplant took place in Boston in 1954. Here are key achievements in the years since:
- A record-breaking 41,000+ transplants were performed nationwide in 2021, more than double the rate from 25 years ago.
- Liver and heart transplants continue to set annual all-time volume records – for the past 9 and 10 years, respectively.
- Organ donation is increasing; more than 500,000 transplants took place after 2007.
- In 2021, 58% of all kidney recipients were patients of color – up from 33% in 1988.
- One person can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and change the lives of as many as 75 through tissue donation.
You can help the U.S. reach the next million transplants by as an organ donor at BeTheGiftToday.com.”