April is National Donate Life Month, a time to recognize the selfless decisions of people who saved and healed lives by being an organ and tissue donor.
“In their final act, donors provide hope for others,” said Indiana Donor Network President and CEO Kellie Tremain. “The gift of life is the greatest gift anyone can give. Donation is proof that compassion outlives us and can be a new beginning for others.”
In 2025, Indiana Donor Network saved 1,214 lives through the recovery of 1,379 organ donations for transplantation from 467 Indiana donors. The organization also recovered 15,734 tissues to help save and heal lives and restore sight from 1,558 Hoosier donors.
Currently, more than 1,400 Hoosiers are awaiting a lifesaving transplant. They’re among nearly 109,000 U.S. residents currently waiting for a transplant. Every day, however, 17 Americans die because the organ they needed did not become available in time.
One organ donor can save eight lives. One tissue donor can help heal more than 75 people. One cornea donor can restore sight to two people.
Through awareness, advocacy and education, Hoosiers are encouraged this month to sign up to be organ and tissue donors. Despite age or medical history, anyone can sign up to be a donor. There are five ways Hoosiers can say “yes” to becoming a donor. They can sign up:
– Online at DonateLifeIndiana.org.
– While conducting business at their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch.
– When they apply online for a hunting, fishing or trapping license through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
– When applying for a professional license to work in the state of Indiana through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
– Through the Health app on their iPhone or iPad.
More than 4.5 million Hoosiers have signed up to be organ, tissue and cornea donors while the Donate Life community nationally has registered more than 170 million Americans to be donors.