Last year was a wonderful year for the patients awaiting lifesaving organ transplants. LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services, our local organ donor program that also serves most of the North Florida area, set a record in 2021 for the number of organ donors who provided the gift of life — 217 — and for the number of organs transplanted — 637.  A total of 559 individuals were saved through the selflessness and generosity of these donors.

Specifically, at UF Health Shands, LifeQuest’s organ donors saved the lives of 100 patients by providing 121 organs for transplantation.

Records were set nationally as well. There were 41,354 organ transplants performed in the United States in 2021, which is a 5.9% increase over 2020. This also was the first time that number exceeded 40,000, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, or UNOS. There were 13,861 deceased organ donors, which was a 10.1% increase over 2020 and the 11th consecutive year for record increases in organ donation.

“Without the organ donor, there is no story, no hope, no transplant. But when there is an organ donor, life springs from death, sorrow turns to hope and a terrible loss becomes a gift,” according to UNOS.

One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people.

One tissue donor can enhance the lives of more than 50 people.

The easiest way to document your decision to become a lifesaving organ and tissue donor is to visit Donate Life Florida and add your name to the registry.

LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services serves all hospitals across a 36-county region of northern Florida, from Duval to Escambia, and as far south as Marion County.