Lifeline of Ohio
As an independent, non-profit organization, Lifeline of Ohio promotes and coordinates the donation of human organs and tissue for transplantation, helping to save and heal lives in Ohio and beyond.
Our Mission & Vision
To save and heal lives through the gift of donation.
To lead organ, eye and tissue donation, changing lives and empowering communities
Our Value Statements
Collaborate.
We value the expertise of our teams, partners and community and are stronger when we work together.
Act with Compassion.
We model cultural humility and lead with the consciousness of others in all we do.
Strive for Excellence.
We improve every day and aspire to the highest level of performance.
Inspire Innovation.
We embrace change and seek opportunities to solve problems.
Champion Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
We commit to value differences and break down systemic barriers to improve lives in our organization and the communities we serve.
Lifeline of Ohio Leaf Ceremony
Services we provide
Evaluation and Donation Process
A coordinator is available round-the-clock to evaluate medical suitability for each potential organ, eye and/or tissue donor. This screening takes place when the hospital contacts Lifeline of Ohio in accordance with the routine-notification protocol.
Lifeline of Ohio obtains authorization as prescribed by Ohio law and all industry standards. Hospitals in our service area are required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to report all deaths to Lifeline of Ohio, in order to screen for potential donation. In the event that the patient is a candidate for donation, Lifeline of Ohio works with the family to proceed with the donation.
Once death has been declared and consent is secured, all costs associated with organ, eye and tissue donation will be assumed by Lifeline of Ohio.
Quality Assurance
All required immunological testing recommended by the United Network for Organ Sharing and the American Association of Tissue Banks are performed. A thorough medical history, blood cultures and tissue cultures are obtained on all organ, eye and tissue donors. In addition, an autopsy may be necessary if the circumstances surrounding the death warrant further explanation.
Professional Education
Educational programs are available to medical, administrative, nursing, pastoral care, social work and other hospital staff to increase awareness and knowledge about organ, eye and tissue donation. Lifeline of Ohio is an approved provider of nursing continuing education (CE) through the Ohio Nurses Association. We also sponsor specialized educational offerings, such as Designated Requestor training (in collaboration with other recovery agencies in Central Ohio).
Community Education and Relations
Lifeline of Ohio is dedicated to increasing the community’s awareness of the drastic need for organ, eye and tissue donation. By working in partnership with schools, businesses, religious leaders, BMV staff and other individuals committed to the cause, we can educate the community about the gifts of life, sight and healing. Lifeline of Ohio staff and volunteers provide free speakers, displays and information for community programs, events, and health fairs.
Throughout the year, Lifeline of Ohio sponsors a combination of special events, broadcast and print interviews and community campaigns in an effort to promote public awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation.
Awards and accreditations
Lifeline of Ohio was established as an independent, non-profit organ procurement organization in 1985. Our dedication to providing quality service has continued to grow with each passing year. Lifeline of Ohio is proud of the following accreditations and awards we have been presented with in acknowledgement of our outstanding staff and their values and practices.
Accreditations
- Association of Organ Procurement Organizations
- American Association of Tissue Banks
- Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA)
Compliance Standards
- Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment
- Food and Drug Administration
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Lifeline of Ohio is a member in good standing of the United Network for Organ Sharing.
- Lifeline of Ohio has been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid as the designated OPO serving 38 counties in Ohio, along with Wood and Hancock counties in West Virginia.
Awards
- Lifeline of Ohio won the Ambassador Pinnacle Award in 2022 from Donate Life America.
- Lifeline of Ohio was honored in the Donor Family Engagement Category from Donate Life America in 2022.
- Lifeline of Ohio was awarded the Silver Level, Award for Excellence in 2020 from The Partnership for Excellence.
- Lifeline of Ohio’s Tissue Department was awarded Excellence in Vascular Recovery by CryoLife in the first quarter of 2020.
- Lifeline of Ohio received both the Platinum award and the Event award from Donate Life America for our “Freedom to Give” campaign in 2019.
- Lifeline of Ohio’s Tissue Department received accolades from Community Tissue Services in appreciation for our organization’s help in supporting burn victims in New Zealand in 2019.
- Lifeline of Ohio received the Best Remix Award in 2016 from Donate Life America for outreach to the LGBTQ IA+ community.
Meet Honey Bee!
Honey Bee buzzes around Central and Southeastern Ohio promoting organ, eye and tissue donation and encouraging everyone to “bee” a donor. She has made it her beeswax to share the importance of donation and bring hope to the more than 108,000 men, women and children waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
She puts smiles on the faces of everyone she meets and thinks there’s nothing sweeter than saving lives as an organ, eye and tissue donor.
Honey Bee is available to buzz around at your community event! She loves to dance, can participate in fun runs or just mingle with your crowd.