Tennessee Donor Services Saves Lives by the Numbers in 2024

Tennessee Donor Services (TDS) served 488 organ donor heroes whose gifts resulted in 1,371 lifesaving organ transplants in 2024.

Every transplant, and the second chances they represent, were made possible because of selfless and generous donor heroes and their families who said yes to donation, dedicated TDS employees and community partners who raise awareness for donation and register new donors in Tennessee.

In 2024, TDS set records for Tennessee by saving and improving thousands of lives – and providing hope to families faced with the tragic loss of a loved one.

Among its achievements, TDS:

• Provided care and support to more than 750 families who said yes to organ donation.
• Served 488 organ donors, who posthumously gave the gift of life to waiting patients.
• Recovered 1,371 organs resulting in lifesaving transplants.
• Served 2,639 tissue donors, whose gifts including skin, bone and tissue grafts will heal countless patients
• Added 170,000 new registrations to the Donate Life Tennessee organ and tissue donor registry
• Continued its groundbreaking partnership with Meharry Medical College to expose aspiring physicians of color to the fields of donation and transplant.
• Provided bereavement support to more than 3,600 families in Tennessee.

“Last year, I watched in awe as my team overcame significant obstacles while working around the clock to make every lifesaving gift possible for our donor heroes and those awaiting transplants. I am proud of our staff, and I am so grateful to the Tennesseans who gave life this year and registered to be organ donors. Our work would not be possible without their generosity and selflessness, and we look forward to saving more lives in 2025.” ~Jill Grandas, Tennessee Donor Services Executive Director

Despite significant regulatory challenges, the United States continues to lead the world with record-setting trends in organ donation and transplant. In 2024, nearly 17,000 deceased organ donor heroes saved lives with more than 40,000 gifts. In total, the U.S. surpassed 48,000 organ transplants, resulting in more than 130 transplants each day!

Still, 100,000 men, women and children in the U.S. are waiting for a lifesaving transplant – 2,800 of those are Tennesseans.

Everyone is encouraged to #BeTheGift that saves lives by registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor at DonateLifeTN.org.