Northeast Ohio community said “yes” to donation in record numbers — a powerful response to Lifebanc’s renewed presence and mission.
CLEVELAND, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lifebanc, Northeast Ohio’s only nonprofit organ procurement organization, is proud to announce a record-breaking month of organ donation in June, with 91 organs donated—surpassing the previous high of 78. These gifts resulted in 69 lives saved, a milestone that reflects both the generosity of the community and the impact of Lifebanc’s strategic organizational transformation.
“This work is emotional, difficult, and incredibly meaningful. We are witnessing what happens when we are present, prepared, and committed,” said Katie Payne, CEO of Lifebanc. “Every family deserves the opportunity to make the decision about donation, and our team is now more available, more responsive, and more aligned than ever to ensure those moments are honored.”
Lifebanc’s corporate restructuring, launched earlier this year, has focused on building a high-performing, mission-driven team and establishing disciplined, 24/7 operational processes that ensure hospital partners and families are fully supported at every step.
“This is a 24/7 industry,” said Micah Davis, Lifebanc’s Chief Operating Officer. “We’ve restructured with intention — ensuring we have the right people in the right roles, trained and ready to move with speed and empathy. From dispatch to donation, every moment matters, and we are operating with discipline and clarity like never before.”
A New Level of Commitment to Northeast Ohio
The increase in lives saved—up from the previous monthly average of 40 to 45—is the result of a focused commitment to being present in more hospitals, having more conversations, and ensuring no opportunity is missed. The Lifebanc team, embedded across 80 hospitals in Northeast Ohio, has prioritized earlier engagement, cultural sensitivity, and seamless collaboration with care teams and families alike.
“June’s numbers aren’t just a statistic. Behind every one of those 91 organs is a donor, a family, and a second chance at life,” Payne said. “This community said yes—and more importantly, we were there to make sure they were given the chance to say yes.”
Expanding Possibilities, Embracing Every Opportunity
In addition to operational improvements, Lifebanc is rethinking what’s possible—working to expand perceptions of who can be a donor, including older individuals or those once thought to be ineligible.
“It’s not our job to decide what’s possible,” Payne added. “It’s our job to present the opportunity, to start the hard conversations, and to make sure families feel supported no matter what they choose.”
Looking Forward
Lifebanc views this milestone not as an endpoint but as the beginning of a new chapter. With stronger systems, clear expectations, and a reinvigorated mission, the organization is setting a new standard for what it means to be available—for families, for hospitals, and for the community.
“This is not just success—it’s a call to action,” said Payne. “Every life saved began with someone saying yes. And our job is to keep showing up and making that possible.”
About Lifebanc
Lifebanc is Northeast Ohio’s non-profit organ, eye and tissue recovery organization with a mission to save and heal lives. The organization serves over four million people and works with 80 hospitals in a 20-county area. Lifebanc facilitates the organ, eye and tissue recovery and donation processes, provides extensive care and support services to donor families and facilitates community outreach and education programs to encourage registration on the Ohio Donor Registry. For more information on Lifebanc or to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor visit www.lifebanc.org.
SOURCE Lifebanc
