A Record Number of Louisianians Said Yes to Donation Last Year

Louisiana Heroes Gave the Gift of Life through Organ and Tissue Donation in 2024

The Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency announced today that there were 303 organ donors and 752 tissue donors from Louisiana in 2024. This record number of donors resulted in the transplantation of 883 organs and thousands of tissue grafts. 

LOPA President and CEO Brett Gordon said the agency is honored to play a part in the life saving work that is organ donation and transplantation. “LOPA is committed to maximizing every gift from every hero who has made the decision to become a donor. Because of them, we were able to recover and transplant more organs and tissues in 2024 than ever before, ultimately saving more lives.”

Before Louisiana resident John “Wes” Horton received a liver transplant in April of 2024, he was unsure he would live to see the new year. Because of the selfless gift of his donor hero Mason Kiley of New Orleans, Wes now has a second chance at life. Mason’s decision to register as a donor has brought healing to both his recipients and all who loved him.

“It brings me so much comfort knowing my sweet boy, Mason, lives on in others,” said  Missie Durapau, Mason’s mom. 

Gordon noted that 65% of donor heroes had already made the decision for themselves by registering as donors in advance.  This action not only helps ensure an individual’s end-of-life decision is honored, but it also takes the burden off family members to make a decision during such a traumatic time. 

“The decision to join the Louisiana Donor Registry is a decision to save lives. LOPA’s commitment to our donor heroes, their families, and to all those who have said yes continues well beyond donation. Through our in-person and virtual remembrance ceremonies, we are able to honor our donor heroes and all those who have said yes to donation. In 2024, we honored 566 individual donor heroes and their beautiful heroism,” he said. 

Louisiana residents are encouraged to join the Louisiana Donor Registry through a variety of pathways: in-person at the OMV, online at lopa.org, through the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, or via the LA Wallet App.