RALEIGH, N.C. – Every 17 minutes, someone dies while on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant. That’s a statistic HonorBridge is working to lower, through education and awareness about how to become a donor.

What You Need To Know

  • April is National Donate Life Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of organ donation across the country

  • More than 3,000 North Carolinians are on the waiting list for an organ transplant, and more than 100,000 are on the list nationwide  

  • You can register to become a donor at https://registerme.org/campaign/nc

HonorBridge is the largest organ procurement organization (OPO) in North Carolina, serving 77 counties and Pittsylvania County, Virgina. There are 57 federally designated OPOs in the country.

The organization says more than 3,000 North Carolinians are on the waiting list for organ transplants and over 100,000 are on the list nationwide.

HonorBridge’s Taylor Anderton explained the impact one person can have by becoming an organ donor.

“I think so many times we think about things as it being too much for one person to help,” Anderton said. “The amazing thing about organ donation is one person, after you are dead and gone, can actually save up to eight lives through organ donation and heal up to another 75-plus lives. So that is an amazing impact just one person can make.”

Registering to become an organ donor is quick and simple, taking about two minutes through this website.

“I think most of us hear about donation and think the only way you can register is at your DMV,” Anderton said. “But you can also register online. It’s very simple and quick. It takes literally less than two minutes.”

“Most importantly, have that discussion with your family. Let your loved ones know what your decision is so that when the time comes, everyone's on the same page and there's no hesitation because people are unclear about what your final decision is,” Anderton said.

On Monday and Tuesday, HonorBridge is partnering with SGC Foundation to raise money for the OPO. There’s a golf tournament at Eagle Ridge Golf Club along Competition Road in Raleigh, then a party and concert the following night at Bond Brothers Eastside in Cary.

“There's going to be auction items and food trucks and just a really good time,” Anderton said. “If you're not a golfer, [it’s] another great way to come, but the money will be going back to HonorBridge to help us get out and spread the message about the importance of organ donation.”

Despite declining numbers of people registering to become organ donors in recent years, North Carolina saw a record-breaking year for donations in 2022, with 316 donors ages 3 months to 69 years donating, saving 750 lives, the organization's second-highest number ever.

In a press release, HonorBridge president and CEO Danielle Niedfeldt wrote, “2022 was not an easy year as we dealt with the on-going impact of the pandemic as well as some global economic concerns. However, looking back, I am humbled by the generosity of donor heroes and their families who chose to give the gift of life.”

Niefeldt said, “A heartfelt thank you to all our hospital and community partners for their support and trust. Because of them, we are able together to save and heal more lives through the power of organ and tissue donation.”

The organization is hoping to make a bigger impact in 2023, with the opening of its new Chapel Hill building. It allows for on-site organ and tissue recovery, which the group hopes will lead to more lives saved and others healed.