Organ donation is a personal decision, and it’s natural to feel cautious. However, one “yes” to this type of donation can save up to eight lives and help heal up to 75 more through tissue and eye donation. One St. Louis-headquartered organization dedicates each day to saving more lives through these means: Mid-America Transplant.
"In 2024, Mid-America Transplant marked its 50th anniversary of leading the mission to save lives through organ and tissue donations," says Kevin Lee, president and CEO of this private nonrprofit. "Thanks to the inspiring and selfless decisions of donor heroes and their families (during the 50th year timeframe), 317 organ donors and 2,632 tissue donors provided 891 lifesaving organs for transplant and gave more than 197,000 individuals improved quality of life through tissue transplants."
Right now, more than 100,000 Americans are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, including 1,700 Missourians. Every 8 minutes, another person is added to that list. And, the nonprofit's team indicates that because only about 1% of deaths each year occur in a way that allows for organ donation, every single registered donor makes a difference.
This organization's reach is broad and impressive, assisting those in need within eastern Missouri, southern Illinois and northeast Arkansas, serving 4.7 million people in 84 counties.
During recognizing five decades of achievements, many milestone can be spotlighted:
One Person's Inspiring Legacy
After a long life of heroic service to his country and community, lifelong resident of southeast Missouri Orville Allen made one final act of service: choosing organ donation. At 98 years old, he became the oldest organ donor ever in the United States through his gift of a liver, saving the life of a 72-year-old woman following a successful transplant in May 2024. Clearly, he was giving person throughout his life. He was a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. He served for 27 years in the U.S. Army Reserve and devoted nearly four decades to teaching vocational agriculture to generations of high school students.
Providing A Home Away From Home
Mid-America Transplant Family House welcomed its 500th guest last November. The group's first Family House location welcomed 262 families between December 2013 and May 2022. Since opening the current location during June 2022 in the Dogtown neighborhood, the new Family House has been home to more than 250 patients, bringing the total number of families served to more than 500, from across 12 states.
A Story of Gratitude
In 2023, Emily suffered a severe fracture in her leg. With four young kids, including 1-year-old twins, keeping up with her family from a wheelchair was suddenly very difficult. During the surgery to repair her leg, Emily received bone from a tissue donor. At the time of her injury, Emily had been with Mid-America Transplant for 16 years. Although she had always supported donation, her experience gave her a profound new perspective on the critical importance of tissue donation and the life-changing impact one donor can have. Thanks to a generous donor, Emily’s leg bone was able to properly heal.
“It’s given me my life back,” she says. “Because of the bone tissue that I received, I was able to relearn to walk with my toddlers. I can now do most things that I could before. It’s just an amazing gift that my donor has given me.”
Emily says she now feels more motivated in her work than she ever has before. “It’s so important to register to become a donor through your license bureau or online. Just become a donor.”
Lasting Dedications
During National Donate Life Month this April, a new sculpture designed by Chesterfield artist Don Wiegand was dedicated on Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO's) River Campus Terraces to honor the selfless gifts of local organ, eye and tissue donors. The sculpture aligns with other memorials in St. Louis and Jonesboro, Arkansas. Approximately 200 family members, along with Mid-America Transplant and SEMO staff, attended the dedication.
In St. Louis, at the organization's headquarters, a 12-foot bronze sculpture stands in honor of organ and tissue donors and their families. It's known as the Donor Memorial Monument. Commissioned by Mid-America Transplant representatives in 2004 and dedicated in 2009, Don Wiegand also created this bronze, bas-relief sculpture, inspired by a photograph taken at a Candlelight March ceremony in 2005. The sculpture depicts 12 people raising lit candles in the air and serves as a lasting tribute to organ and tissue donors and their families.
In Arkansas, visitors can see the memorial in the Prayer Garden at St. Bernards Medical Center, adjacent to the Chapel and Emergency Department.
Remembering Those Who Said Yes
Candlelight Memorial ceremonies honor organ and tissue donors who have given the Gift of Life in the past year, with candles symbolizing the shared light of hope provided through their selfless acts of donation. Events like these support families as they navigate moments where grief and healing often intertwine.
In 2024, Candlelight Memorial events were held in St. Louis, Springfield and Cape Girardeau. In St. Louis and Springfield, families adorned lighted trees with leaves displaying the names of their loved ones, and a photo slideshow highlighted each selfless individual who said yes to giving the gift of life.
Families at the Springfield ceremony also had the opportunity to participate in a meaningful memory-making activity.
In Cape Girardeau, garden banners featuring images of donor heroes adorned the lawn surrounding the new Donor Memorial on SEMO’s River Campus Terraces. Donors honored in St. Louis totaled 70, with 25 donors honored in Springfield and 50 donors honored in Cape Girardeau.
The group just hosted their annual Celebrate Life 5K Run/Walk on Oct. 5 at the Forest Park Upper Muny Lot.
Helpful Results
During this year alone, Mid-America Transplant is touching the lives of many. During the first quarter of this year, 1,732 people were referred to the organization with 86 people donating. During the second quarter, 1,549 more were referred with 72 people donating. That resulted in 408 organs being transplanted.
Funding Breakthroughs In Science
The group's Clinical Innovation Fund supports research projects seeking to improve the outcomes of transplantation. Grants may be made up to $150,000 per year for three years, with total awards not exceeding $450,000 over a three-year period. These research initiatives undoubtedly impact patients and their families, providing hope and innovation for years to come.
Commitment
President/CEO since 2023, Kevin says the Mid-America team understands that trust is foundational to their work. He stepped into the CEO role with more than 25 years of experience leading strategic initiatives in health care and education, including executive roles at Mercy Health and Loyola Academy of St. Louis. He joined Mid-America Transplant in 2015 as the executive director of the Mid-America Transplant Foundation and then held roles as vice president of community engagement and chief organ operations officer.
He states: "We honor donor heroes and their families by remaining transparent, accountable and committed to continuous improvement. Mid-America Transplant has been a leader in donation because we innovate responsibly, learn from experience and never lose sight of the fact that every decision we make affects real lives."
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Over the years, innovation soared, allowing supporters and participants within the Mid-America Transplant program to enhance the quality of life of even more people on the waiting list, thanks to 45,000 hero donors since 1974.
"My brother sadly passed away and he was a donor with Mid-America Transplant. In his honor, thank you for the the lifesaving work you do every day." ~Kelley Lamm Montogmery
“It’s given me my life back. I can now do most things that I could before. It’s just an amazing gift that my donor has given me.”