National Donor Day
National Donor Day: Celebrating the Gift of Life
Every year on February 14, we honor National Donor Day—also known as National Organ Donor Day. While many celebrate Valentine’s Day, this day reminds us of another kind of love: the gift of life through donation.
More than 120,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a life-saving transplant. Every day, families hope for a match and a second chance. National Donor Day calls us to register as donors and support those in need.
Five Types of Donations
This day highlights five critical ways to give:
Organs: Kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, intestines.
Tissue: Skin, corneas, valves, bone, tendons.
Marrow: Stem cells for treating blood cancers.
Platelets: Vital for cancer and blood disorder patients.
Blood: Needed every two seconds in the U.S.
Why National Donor Day Matters
Hospitals need over 41,000 blood donations daily. Nonprofits run drives and campaigns, but the need keeps growing.
How You Can Help
Register as an organ donor—it’s simple and saves lives. Donate blood, marrow, or platelets to help patients now. Spread awareness. Inspire others.
On National Donor Day, show love by giving life.
What Is Organ Donation?
Organ donation is the ultimate gift of life. A living or deceased donor provides a healthy organ to someone in need. Surgeons transplant the organ into a patient whose own organ no longer works. Commonly donated organs include the kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, and pancreas.
Why Organ Donation Matters
Organ transplantation is one of modern medicine’s greatest achievements. It gives people of all ages a second chance at life. Donated tissues—such as corneas, tendons, bones, heart valves, and skin—also restore movement, sight, and function.
But the need is far greater than the supply. In the U.S., over 100,000 people wait for a transplant each day. Only about 40,000 transplants take place each year. More donors are desperately needed.
Did You Know?
A single donor can save or improve more than 70 lives.
Organs and tissues that can be donated include kidneys, liver, heart, pancreas, lungs, intestine, bone, ligaments, tendons, skin, heart valves, and corneas.
You can register at RegisterMe.org or, for iPhone users, through the Health app.
Who Can Donate?
Almost anyone can become a donor. There’s no set age limit. Even people with certain health issues may have viable organs or tissues. Doctors make the final decision at the time of donation.
Living donors undergo thorough health checks to ensure their safety before giving.
Consider Becoming a Donor
Few medical conditions automatically prevent donation. Even if some organs aren’t suitable, others may save lives. The best step you can take is to register and let the experts decide.
Show Your Support on National Donor Day
Organ donation is represented by the color green. Wear a ribbon, wristband, or pin to raise awareness. For more resources, visit organdonor.gov or the Mayo Clinic.
Becoming a donor means giving the greatest gift: life itself.
Recommended Articles:
You can view recommended articles for more information.