Gift of Hope sets record for life-saving organ and tissue donation in Illinois and Northwest Indiana for fourth year

Gift of Hope sets record for life-saving organ and tissue donation in Illinois and Northwest Indiana for fourth year

ITASCA, Ill. — Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network announced today that 2025 marked another record year for organ and tissue donation across its service area, making an unprecedented impact on patients in need throughout northern three-quarters of Illinois and Lake County, Indiana.

In 2025, 520 organ donors and their families made possible 1,529 life-saving organ transplants, the highest number of organs recovered in the organization’s history. This is the fourth consecutive year Gift of Hope achieved this milestone.

In addition, 2,267 tissue donors gave the gift of healing by donating bone, skin and other tissues, helping restore mobility, health and quality of life for countless patients in need.

“As the need for life-saving transplants continues to far exceed the number of available organs, I am profoundly grateful to the organ and tissue donors and their families whose generosity makes these life-saving gifts possible,” said Gift of Hope President and CEO Harry Wilkins, MD. “Registering as an organ and tissue donor is one of the most important decisions you can make. It not only saves lives, but that decision today can provide clarity and comfort to your family in a moment of profound grief.”

In addition to its overall transplant record, Gift of Hope set records for the number of livers transplanted (367); lungs (246) and hearts (162) during the past year. These donations allow community members like double-lung transplant recipient Barbara Creed to gain back not only her health but her life. “I’ve lived to see my grandchildren grow, and my husband and I celebrated 50 years of marriage. Those are the gifts that matter.”

As one of the nation’s 54 organ procurement organizations (OPOs), Gift of Hope coordinates donation with hospitals, coroners, funeral directors and others involved in the process when an individual dies and is medically eligible. This includes speaking with families about donation opportunities and supporting the families throughout the process and after, for as long as it is needed.

Across the country, the need for donation remains critical. As of Jan. 14, more than 108,000 people are waiting for life-saving transplants. A single person can save up to eight lives as an organ donor, enhance the lives of more than 75 people as a tissue donor, and help restore sight for up to two people.

“Every day, people in our communities are waiting—often desperately—for the call that a life-saving organ is available,” Wilkins added. “By registering as an organ donor and sharing that decision with your loved ones, you give patients hope and give your family peace of mind. It is a simple step that can make an extraordinary difference.”

To learn more about donation and register as a donor, visit giftofhope.org.

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network is the nonprofit organ procurement organization (OPO) that coordinates organ and tissue donation and provides public education on donation in northern three-quarters of Illinois and northwest Indiana. As one of 54 OPOs in the national organ donation system, Gift of Hope works with 180 hospitals and serves 12 million people in its donation service area. Since 1986, its work has saved the lives of more than 30,000 organ transplant recipients and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of tissue transplant recipients.


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