Penn State Health Encourages Organ Donation by Joining National Efforts to Raise Awareness

In the United States, every organ donor has the potential to save eight lives and improve more than 75 others, according to the federal government. However, with over 103,000 individuals on the national transplant waiting list, a single donation can only go so far. On average, seventeen people die each day while waiting for a transplant, and a new person is added to the list every eight minutes.

In response to this urgent need, Penn State Health is showing its support for organ donation by encouraging its employees, College of Medicine faculty and staff, and students to wear blue and green on National Donate Life Blue & Green Day. This event takes place in April as part of Donate Life America’s National Donate Life Month and aims to raise awareness about the importance of registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor.

Penn State Health kicks off the awareness campaign with a Donate Life flag-raising ceremony early in the month, featuring area patients who have benefited from organ transplants. In 2024, these patients included someone who received a life-saving liver transplant on Christmas Day 2023 as well as a mother and daughter who both underwent heart transplants. The health system also provides a convenient registration process for those interested in becoming organ donors.

By taking part in National Donate Life Blue & Green Day and supporting organ donation initiatives, Penn State Health is helping to save lives and make a difference in the lives of those waiting for transplants. To learn more about organ donation and how you can register as a donor, visit Penn State Health’s website.