The total? 374 kidneys, 195 livers, 62 hearts, 60 lungs, 22 pancreata and 2 intestines — 715 organs.
That’s the number transplanted in 2023 in New Jersey — an all-time high and a 7% increase over the previous record of 670 organs transplanted in 2022, according to a recent announcement from Carolyn Welsh, CEO and president of NJ Sharing Network, the federally designated organization focused on saving and enhancing lives through the recovery of donated organs and tissue in the Garden State.
This is the fifth consecutive year the New Providence-based nonprofit has reported new organ donation records, underscoring a clear trend of people saying “yes” in support for organ and tissue donation in the Garden State.
“Thanks to the generosity of New Jersey organ donors and their families, more organs were transplanted than ever before. For the families of those who have received the gift of life, it means more time together, more memories to create and more moments to cherish,” Welsh said. “Our team members, hospital partners and our NJ Sharing Network community have helped us reach new levels of excellence in organ and tissue donation and transplantation. We thank them for their compassion, dedication and unstoppable spirit that defines our mission. Together, we offer caring support to donor families and make a lasting impact on the lives of those in need of a second chance.”
NJ Sharing Network also announced that 44,266 eye and tissue gifts enhanced the quality of life for those in need, an 11% increase over the prior year. Tissue donations include corneas, heart valves, skin grafts, bone grafts, saphenous veins and tendons. One deceased organ and tissue donor can save eight lives and enhance the lives of over 75 people.
NJ Sharing Network partners with an extensive network of 54 local hospitals to steward the gift of life.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center had the highest number of organs transplanted (74) and most tissue and eye donors (76) of any hospital in NJ Sharing Network’s service area.
Cooper University Hospital had the highest number of organ donors (28) of any of NJ Sharing Network’s partner hospitals. University Hospital (Newark) had its highest number of organs recovered for transplant (65) and organ donors (25) in its history.
An additional 20% of NJ Sharing Network’s partner hospitals set individual records for the highest number of transplanted organs or donated tissue in their history.
