2022: A year of generosity contributes to a historic milestone for the nation’s organ donation and transplant system  

Last year, LifeCenter Northwest facilitated the donation of 921 organs from 310 deceased organ donors for life-saving transplants from across Alaska, Montana, northern Idaho and Washington. These acts of altruism contributed to the U.S. surpassing one million total organ transplants in 2022, according to the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS). This milestone positions the U.S. organ donation and transplant system as the best in the world, but more importantly, this work is saving thousands of more lives.  

“The new year offers us a chance to reflect on the importance of offering hope to those in need, and to show gratitude to our organ and tissue donors and their families,” says Santokh Gill, president and CEO of LifeCenter Northwest. “We will never stop working to improve our services so that we can save more lives and keep more families together through the power of organ and tissue donation.”   

2022 Story Highlights:

First-ever DCD heart transplant in the Pacific Northwest

Ryan Stovall, 48, from Beaver, Ore., received a heart from a donation-after-circulatory-death (DCD) donor – a first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. LifeCenter Northwest and UW Medicine’s heart transplant team facilitated Stovall’s heart transplant using perfusion technology that kept blood and nutrients pulsing through the heart during transit. (Photo courtesy of UW Medicine.)

Ruby Mwamba, 4, from Spokane, Wash., received a liver transplant from a deceased donor after awaiting transplant for most of her short life.

“We are so fortunate and don’t take for granted the beautiful outcome we’ve had,” shared Ruby’s mom, Melissa. “Ruby always talks about getting bigger and with this gift of life, it means she gets to. Each birthday will be a celebration of life!” (Photo and quote shared from Seattle Children’s.)

Donor family meets late son’s heart recipient and listens to heartbeat at our first in-person Donation Celebration in three years.

“It’s just amazing to be able to hear it and hear Sam,” said donor mom, Corrie. “It does a mama’s heart good to know that my son was able to give that gift.”