(Norcross, GA) – February 12, 2020 - Thanks to the generosity of 344 organ donors and their families, LifeLink® of Georgia provided a record number of organs for transplant during a calendar year, with 1039 organs transplanted during 2019. This marks the most organ donors facilitated by LifeLink of Georgia, with nearly a 16% increase over last calendar year.

This increased donor activity translates to a 25% increase in organ donors and a 19% increase in organs transplanted over the last five years. Kidneys continue to remain the most needed organ for transplantation. Thanks to the efforts of LifeLink of Georgia, the number of kidneys transplanted increased nearly 27% during the same time period. Additionally, in Georgia, more than any other state, more African Americans choose to save lives through organ donation.

LifeLink of Georgia credits continuous quality and process improvement, staff’s unwavering commitment to excellence, strong hospital relationships and education, community partnerships, public education and the forethought of individuals who chose to join their respective state donor registries, as well as the support of donor families, for the year’s success. Still, there are thousands of patients still awaiting transplantation. As a result, the 2020 milestones are not a place to rest; instead, they are a reminder of the continued need to save even more lives.

LifeLink of Georgia is the federally designated, non-profit community service organization dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissues for transplantation in throughout Georgia, as well as in Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina. LifeLink of Georgia can also be of assistance with coordinating a presentation to local civic groups on the importance of donation; schedule a presentation to high school students to help increase awareness of this national health crisis and/or facilitate an interview with a local organ recipient or donor family as part of a feature story to help further the Donate Life message throughout our community. For more information on LifeLink, or to register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org.
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