Louisiana Donor Heroes Saved and Healed Hundreds of Lives in 2025

Innovation and collaboration helped expand life saving organ and tissue donation.

The Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (“LOPA”) announced today that donor heroes across Louisiana made it possible to save and heal more lives than ever before through organ and tissue donation in 2025. 

Throughout the year, 336 organ donors and 838 tissue donors gave the gift of life resulting in 997 lifesaving organ transplants, and thousands of tissue grafts that restored sight, mobility, and health for individuals in Louisiana and across the country. Behind every number, is a person and a family whose decision to say “yes” to donation has created a living, lasting impact.

In addition to facilitating donation and transplantation, LOPA provided ongoing support to nearly 3,000 donor families, offering guidance, resources, and compassion following one of the most challenging periods of their lives. 

In 2025, LOPA continued to expand the use of data, recovery technologies, and clinical systems to improve organ and tissue placement efficiency and reduce missed opportunities for donation. These initiatives resulted in a 13% increase in the total number of organs transplanted.  

LOPA President and CEO Brett Gordon said these outcomes reflect a combination of innovation, collaboration, and the dedication of the people behind the mission. “Every advancement we make helps ensure that more donor heroes are able to fulfill their decision to save lives, and that more families waiting for a miracle receive one,” said Gordon. “Clinical perfusion advancements have been  particularly impactful, allowing us to better preserve organ function and expand transplant possibilities.” 

Gordon also emphasized that continued growth of the LOPA team, along with close collaboration with hospital partners across the state, has been pivotal in translating opportunity into impact. “Our ability to save and heal more lives is driven by the passion and expertise of our team and the trust and partnership we share with hospitals, coroners, funeral homes and other community partners throughout Louisiana,” Gordon added, “Together, we are honoring every donor hero by maximizing the gift they so generously gave.” 

Louisiana residents are encouraged to join the Louisiana Donor Registry through a variety of pathways: in-person at the Office of Motor Vehicles, online at lopa.org, through the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, or via the LA Wallet App. The decision to join the Louisiana Donor Registry is a decision to save lives.