6th Congressional District - Lifeline of Ohio

The 6th Congressional District & Organ Donation

Top 3 Donation Takeaways

Only 1% of all deaths in the United States happen in a manner where organ donation is a potential.
Over the age of 18, if someone is registered, it is a legally-binding decision. Next-of-kin can overrule the donation decision of someone registered under the age of 18.
Doctors do everything they can to save the person before them. Only after death has been declared does the potential for donation come forth.

Honoring Donation in 2022

While the need for registered donors is great, we do want to pause to thank the heroic donors in 2022 who saved and healed thousands of lives!

42,613

organ and 1.75 million tissue transplants were performed in the United States in 2022.

153

individuals in Central and Southeastern Ohio shared the gift of life through organ donation at the time of their death in 2022.

675

individuals in Central and Southeastern Ohio shared the gift of healing through tissue and cornea donation in 2022.

372

lives were saved by heroic organ donors in 2022.

Columbus Man Waits for a Heart

Jermayne Harris of Columbus has always been active. As a teenager, he ran track and was proud to quarterback his high school football team. However, at 26 years old he contracted a virus that severely damaged his heart.

Although he manages a food truck with his father and recently got married, Jermayne’s activities are limited by the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) he’s connected to 24/7 that keeps his heart pumping while he waits for a transplant.

He has been on the national transplant waiting list for more than two years at The Cleveland Clinic – waiting for a second chance at life through the gift of organ donation.

Items of Note About Donation

The 6th Congressional District Stats

In the 6^th Congressional District donor registration rates are above the national average of 50% and near or above the state’s average of 60%:

Belmont County – 56.6%

Carroll County – 57.4%

Columbiana County – 60.1%

Harrison County – 54.4%

Jefferson County – 53.4%

Mahoning County – 53.8%

Monroe County – 55%

Noble County – 58.5%

Stark County – 61.4%

Tuscarawas County – 60.8%

Washington County – 61.9%

Donation Statistics

The national transplant waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant is rising at an alarming rate, with more than 104,000 individuals currently on the list.
In Ohio, more than 2,600 people are waiting for an organ transplant, and thousands more are waiting for tissue and corneal transplants.
Approximately 20 times each day a man, woman or child dies for lack of an available organ. Once every 48 hours, an Ohioan dies waiting.

A New Way to Register Donors in 2023!

Beginning October 1, 2022, Ohioans can now register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor when they renew their vehicle registration at the BMV!

HB21 instructs the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to ask the donation registration questions with all new and renewed licenses or registrations. The bill also increases the amount license-seekers are asked to voluntarily donate to the Second Chance Trust Fund from $1 to $2. And it increases the annual contribution for the “Donate Life” license plate from $5 to $15.

All money from both of those goes to the Second Chance Trust Fund, which is used for educational and development programs on organ, eye and tissue donation.

Who is Lifeline of Ohio?

Lifeline of Ohio is an independent, non-profit organization that promotes and coordinates the donation of human organs and tissue for transplantation. Lifeline of Ohio serves 97 hospitals and facilities in 38 counties in Ohio and two in West Virginia and is designated as an organ procurement organization through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

How Does An Ohioan Register As A Donor?

Ohioans may declare their decision to become a donor by registering at the BMV or online.

The Ohio Donor Registry is an individual’s first-person authorization to donate the gift of life at the time of their death, if possible, through organ, eye and tissue donation.

Lifeline of Ohio encourages everyone to talk to their loved ones about their donation decision. When the next-of-kin knows their loved one’s decision at the time of death, it is one of the most helpful steps a grieving family can take to deal with its loss.

Resources from the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations

Ohio Heart Recipient Advocates on Capitol Hill

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Encourages Ohioans to Register

Donor parents Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine share this very special message encouraging all Ohioans to register their decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. Their daughter Becky was a tissue and cornea donor who healed many through her gifts of donation.

Learn more

Why Become a Donor? About Us Frequently Asked Questions Register as a Donor Shadowboxes Grief Support