1 Million Organ Transplants
NJ Sharing Network
The U.S. organ donation system has reached 1 million organ transplants as of September 9, 2022, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has announced. NJ Sharing Network, a member of the nationwide organ donation and transplant system responsible for reaching the historic milestone, credits the collaboration, innovation, and passion of its fellow members for making it possible.
A record-breaking 41,000+ transplants were performed nationwide in 2021, more than double the rate from 25 years ago. 2021 was also the 11thconsecutive record-setting year for organ donation from deceased donors.
The generosity of those in New Jersey contributed to making this milestone possible and is providing hope for the future. In 2021, the number of organ donors in a single year reached an all-time high for the third year in a row in the Garden State. There are now more than 2.7 million New Jerseyans registered as organ and tissue donors. That ranks New Jersey as #5 in the nation on the National Donate Life Registry.
“We owe this achievement, first and foremost, to our donor heroes who generously gave the gift of life, as well as their supportive families,” said Joseph S. Roth, President and Chief Executive Officer, NJ Sharing Network. “The miracle of organ donation and transplantation would not be possible without the dedicated support and expertise of our clinical staff and hospital partners,” added Roth.
NJ Sharing Network joins in advancing Living It Forward, a national initiative led by UNOS in partnership with the transplant community to further accelerate the pace of donation and commemorate the lives saved, legacies honored, and hope restored.
“The organ donation and transplant community has made life-saving history together,” says Jerry McCauley, M.D., M.P.H., president of the UNOS Board of Directors. “Now, we invite donor families, organ transplant candidates and recipients, living organ donors and others touched by transplant to join Living It Forward and honor and celebrate the gifts that made this important milestone possible.”
NJ Sharing Network encourages everyone to become part of our community by registering to be an organ donor – 1 person can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of over 75 others through tissue donation, which is crucial since only 1 percent of deaths meet the criteria for someone to become a donor. The need is great; more than 100,000 people are on the transplant waitlist, including nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents.
“As we celebrate this monumental occasion, let’s remember there is still more work to be done to ensure those on the waiting list are transplanted,” said Roth. “Please share the news and ask everyone you know to register as an organ and tissue donor today at NJSharingNetwork.org/Register.”
Visit LivingItForward.org to read stories about some of the people behind the 1 million and see how they are Living It Forward. For local stories of hope, visit NJSharingNetwork.org/Stories-of-Hope.
About the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is the mission-driven non-profit serving as the nation’s transplant system under contract with the federal government. UNOS leads the network of transplant hospitals, organ procurement organizations, and thousands of volunteers who are dedicated to honoring the gifts of life entrusted to us and to making lifesaving transplants possible for patients in need. Working together, UNOS leverages data and advances in science and technology to continuously strengthen the system, increase the number of organs recovered and the number of transplants performed, and ensure patients across the nation have equitable access to transplant.
About NJ Sharing Network
Currently celebrating its 35th anniversary, NJ Sharing Network is the federally designated non-profit organization responsible for recovering donated organs and tissue and providing hope for nearly 4,000 New Jersey residents currently waiting for a life-saving transplant and is part of the national recovery system for the over 100,000 people on the national waiting list. Last year, 233 generous individuals in New Jersey gave the gift of life, an all-time high for a single year. In addition, 42,112 eye and tissue donations enhanced the quality of life for those in need. With headquarters in New Providence, NJ, the organization has been recognized by NJBIZ as one of the state’s “Best Places to Work” for five consecutive years. To learn more, get involved and register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.
