Tag Archive for: donor registry

An infographic displaying 1,075, the number of lifesaving organ transplants provided by Midwest Transplant Network in 2024.

Lifesaving Achievements: Midwest Transplant Network saves lives through 1,075 organ transplants in 2024

In 2024, Midwest Transplant Network set a new level of achievement for the number of organs recovered for transplantation, organ donors, eye and tissue donors, and laboratory tests performed in the accomplishment of its mission work.

MTN, a not-for-profit organ procurement organization (OPO), is privileged to work with donor families to extend their loved one’s legacy in providing 1,075* lifesaving organs for transplantation. The 399 donor hero’s gifts made it possible for grateful recipients to have a new lease on life. MTN recovered tissues from 1,447 donor heroes.

As a highly ranked OPO, Midwest Transplant Network consistently performs in the top 10% in the country among 56 OPOs, according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“In 2024, for the first time in our history, we reached a milestone of 1,075 organs transplanted. It’s a remarkable achievement that’s only made possible by the generosity of people who said yes to being organ donors,” said Jan Finn, RN, MSN, President & CEO, Midwest Transplant Network.

“We are truly grateful to the donor heroes and their families for giving these gifts to save lives. The impact of their decision means so much, like a child receiving a kidney, or a teenager getting a new heart, or someone who’s been waiting for a long time getting the call that a liver is available and it’s a good match.

“This achievement reflects the commitment of our staff and hospital partners to honor the gifts of organ donation, and to make a difference in the lives of people who are waiting for a transplant. It’s all connected,” said Finn.

 

2024: An Impactful Year
One organ donor can save eight lives; a tissue donor can enhance 100 lives. Through MTN, organ, eye and tissue donor heroes and their families saved and enhanced lives:

• 399 donor heroes shared the gift of life, resulting in 1,075* lifesaving organ transplants.
(*Excluding organs donated for research)
• 1,447 cornea and tissue donor heroes saved and enhanced lives.
• MTN’s lab performed 40,075 transplant-supporting tests ranging from blood counts, urinalysis, basic chemistry panels and more.
• In its second full year of service, MTN’s Donor Care and Surgical Recovery Unit (DCU) cared for 131 donor hero patients resulting in 430 lifesaving transplants.

MTN’s award-winning histocompatibility lab conducts tests such as assessing blood work for potential matches for organ, tissue and bone marrow transplantation, as well as post-transplant monitoring.

“The MTN lab plays a vital role in organ donation, where our testing helps bridge the gap between hope and life, connecting donors to patients in need of life-saving transplants,” said Christina Bishop, MT(ASCP), Ph.D., F(ACHI), Chief of Laboratory Services.

“The Donor Care and Surgical Recovery Unit is two years into operation, and we know we’re making a difference. By having a dedicated intensive care unit and surgical recovery suite to recover organs, eyes and tissues means that our trusted staff can move quickly and efficiently to help save and enhance lives,” said Lori Markham, RN, MSN, CCRN, Vice President & Chief Clinical Officer.

 

At a Glance

An infographic displaying 2024 end-of-year data for Midwest Transplant Network.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflecting a National Increase in Organ Donation

MTN’s performance increases reflect a national upward trend for the organ transplant system.

The United Network for Organ Sharing reported that across the country, 48,149 lifesaving transplants were performed in 2024.

On average, the U.S. performed 132 organ transplants a day in 2024.

Although organ transplants are increasing nationally and locally, the waiting list grows. Nearly 104,000 people around the country need a lifesaving organ transplant — with approximately 488 of those people living in Kansas and 2,032 in Missouri.

The Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) set a bold aim to achieve 50,000 annual organ transplants in 2026 by working with key stakeholders on multiple initiatives. Midwest Transplant Network is a leader in helping to reach the bold goal to save lives.

Incorporated in 1973, Midwest Transplant Network facilitates organ, eye and tissue donation in partnership with hospitals and other professional partners to give hope and share life. MTN’s service area is the state of Kansas and western two-thirds of Missouri, with its central office located in Westwood, Kansas, and satellite offices in Wichita, Kansas, and Columbia and Joplin, Missouri. MTN commemorated 50 years of service in 2023.

Richards Yvette

Community Partner Feature – St. James United Methodist Church

When communities of faith partner with us to promote the gift of life offered through organ, eye and tissue donation, a beautiful message emerges. As our annual observance of National Donor Sabbath concludes, hear from St. James United Methodist Church’s Dr. Yvette Richards, D.Min., on her work within her community and why she is so passionate about partnering with Midwest Transplant Network.

Hoefer Welker

Community Partner Feature – Hoefer Welker

When Midwest Transplant Network began planning for the creation of its Donor Care and Surgical Recovery Unit, Hoefer Welker jumped at the chance to design a facility that would honor MTN’s mission to save and enhance lives with dignity and compassion. In this video blog feature, listen to Hoefer Welker’s Diamond Bronson, Associate Vice President and Project Manager, and Patrick McCurdy, Partner and Healthcare Practice Leader, discuss their work and what inspired them in partnering with MTN.

Photo image of Ryan Stoway in a hoodie with a waterfall and wooded scenery in the background.

Donor Hero Said “Yes” to Joining the Registry at the DMV

Photo image of Ryan Stoway in a hoodie with a waterfall and wooded scenery in the background.

Ryan Stoway

In honor of National DMV Appreciation Month, we are honored to share this submitted story about donor hero Ryan Stoway, who believed so much in organ, eye and tissue donation that he enthusiastically said “yes” to joining the registry when he received his permit to drive. Our thanks to Ryan’s mother, Alexis Stoway, for sharing this beautiful story:

“Ryan was a 14-year-old boy with dreams of joining the military or following in his dad’s footsteps as an electrician. He was a born protector, helper and caregiver. He saw what most people didn’t and never hesitated to lend a hand to those who needed him. He had tremendous love for his family, and nothing was more important to him than being with his family and his friends, whom he also thought of as family. He showed such pride to be a part of each and every one of their lives.

He loved being outdoors. Fishing was a passion he shared with his Poppa, uncle and friends. He LOVED playing football! He even liked practicing and off-season training. He enjoyed learning, getting better and stronger each day. Ryan was a 6-foot, 280-pound teddy bear when he wasn’t on the football field. It was often he needed Mom time (yep — he still needed a cuddle). He pulled out the M&M’S® and put on a favorite movie of mine, ‘Top Gun’ or ‘Secretariat,’ and asked me to watch with him.

Ryan always believed in organ donation. He personally saw how organ donation saves and changes lives. When he was 5, his sister received a kidney transplant (she was 3). When he got his permit to drive, he asked the lady taking his picture to redo his permit because it didn’t say he was a donor, and he wanted it on there. When he showed his dad and me, it seemed like he was prouder to be an organ donor than he was that he had passed his test. We were so proud he made that decision all on his own.

When he was finishing his freshman year of high school, he asked me why people had to wait so long for transplants since so many people died every day. I told him not everyone was a donor. He got upset and told me that for his senior project, he was going to tell as many people as possible how organ and tissue donation changes people’s lives. In fact, his exact words were that it ‘changes families’ lives’ and ‘allows people to live a life without jerks making fun of them for being different.’ I sat stunned and cried at my teenage son’s understanding of the difference a selfless choice can make.

It was a little over a month after that conversation that he was in a tragic accident and passed away. They were unable to restart his heart, so his tissues and eyes were donated. He was able to fulfill his wish to be a donor. His sister will take every step with him for the rest of her life, as she was a recipient of one of his tendons, repairing a birth defect in her knee.

We all know Ryan was truly honored to become a donor hero to as many people as he could. I believe he dances in heaven every single time someone gets a part of him, giving them a better quality of life!”