As Americans exchange flowers and chocolates on Valentine’s Day, February 14 also serves as National Donor Day, a time to honor those who give the ultimate gift of life through organ and tissue donation.

While the holiday is best known for celebrating love, it also draws attention to the pressing need for organ donors in the United States. According to recent data, most organ donations come from deceased individuals, though living donors can also step forward — most often giving a kidney or a portion of their liver.

The impact of these gifts is profound. A single deceased donor can save up to eight lives, with transplants most commonly involving the kidneys, liver, heart, and lungs.

This year’s observance comes as the nation marks remarkable medical progress since the first successful organ transplant in the U.S. in 1954. Today, the scope of transplantation is far greater. In 2024 alone, approximately 24,000 organ donations were made, leading to more than 48,000 transplants across the country.

However, the demand for organs continues to far outstrip supply. Over 100,000 people are currently waiting for transplants on the national list, and thousands die each year before receiving the call that a match has been found. Despite wide public support for donation, only about 60 percent of American adults are registered donors, and not every donated organ is viable for transplantation.

Health advocates are using National Donor Day to remind Americans that by checking the organ donor box on a driver’s license or registering online, they can make a lasting difference. Each sign-up increases the odds that more lives can be saved.

As Valentine’s Day reminds us of the power of love, National Donor Day reminds us of the power of generosity—a gift that can outlast a lifetime