Gift of Life Donor Program is the largest organ procurement organization (OPO) in the United States, serving more than 11.3 million people across the eastern half of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. We help and heal lives by coordinating the recovery and distribution of organs and tissues used in life-saving and life-enhancing transplants.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., we serve as a critical link between individuals and families who make the generous decision to donate organs and tissues, and those who need a transplant.

We provide compassionate care for donors, transplant recipients, and their families, and are committed to educating the public about the need for donor registration.

Gift of Life is part of the nationwide organ and tissue sharing network run by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). We are proud to continually increase the number of people who benefit from organ donation. Since our inception in 1974, we have coordinated more than 58,000 organ transplants and more than 2 million tissue transplants.

Learn more about Gift of Life Donor Program’s history.

Support for medical professionals and families

A key to our success is ensuring that we have a team that works together. We partner with 126 acute care hospitals and 12 transplant centers to maximize donation opportunities.

We interact with hospitals to provide education and the clinical services required to recover, prepare and transport organs and tissues for those awaiting a transplant.

We support grieving families throughout the organ and tissue donation process. This includes services provided at the hospital and via after-care programs provided by our Family Support Counselors.

Our devotion to the transplant community includes the Gift of Life Howie’s House, which provides affordable lodging, meals and supportive services to those who travel to Philadelphia for transplant-related care.

We are recognized worldwide for authority and scholarship in the field of organ and tissue donation. The Gift of Life Institute, an affiliate of Gift of Life, is the international leader in organ and tissue donation education, has trained over 13,400 professionals from 33 countries since 2004. Our Transplant Pregnancy Registry International (TPRI) studies post-transplant parenthood and the effects of medications on fertility and pregnancy, providing guidance to families around the world.

Our Hospital Partners

Gift of Life Donor Program works with 12 local transplant centers to coordinate transplants. These hospitals are:

• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• ChristianaCare
• Einstein Medical Center
• Geisinger Medical Center
• Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
• Lehigh Valley Hospital
• Nemours Children’s Health
• Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
• St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
• Temple University Hospital
• Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
• UPMC Harrisburg Hospital

You can view a map of our regional transplant centers here.

Community outreach and education

Building public awareness enables us to continually improve the number of organs available for transplant.

Our community relations team provides outreach and education programs to raise awareness of the critical need for donated organs and tissues. This staff also works closely with our volunteer ambassadors.

Learn more about our community outreach initiatives.

Gift of Life Organizations

Gift of Life Donor Program coordinates life-saving organ and tissue donation in our service region.  Throughout our 48-year history, we have been able to extend Gift of Life’s resources into the following affiliate organizations, all with the goal to advance the practice of saving lives through organ and tissue donation.

• Gift of Life Howie’s House serves as a “home away from home” for transplant patients and their families seeking care in Philadelphia, PA.  Gift of Life Howie’s House not only provides housing, but also home cooked meals, transportation to and from local hospitals and a community atmosphere for patients and families.
• Gift of Life Institute is an international training center for donation professionals offering comprehensive, interdisciplinary resources for skills-based learning, continuing education, collaborative research, and consulting services.
• Transplant Pregnancy Registry International is an ongoing research study focused on the effects of pregnancy on transplant recipients and the effects of immunosuppressive medications on fertility and pregnancy outcomes and a division of Gift of Life Institute.
• Gift of Life Transplant Foundation enhances Gift of Life’s mission through services that support organ and tissue donor families and recipients. The foundation also collaborates with professional and community-based organizations to present educational programs, build partnerships and support education and outreach efforts.

Mission Statement and Core Values

At Gift of Life, we have one overarching mission: to save lives.

Learn more about the mission that drives our history of success

Executive Leadership

Meet the team of skilled leaders that has allowed Gift of Life Donor Program to coordinate more organ donors than anywhere else in the world.

Meet the Gift of Life Executive Team

Governing and Medical Advisory Boards

Our board members and their represented organizations play an essential role in providing guidance for Gift of Life Donor Program’s services and programs.

Learn more about Gift of Life Board Members

Gift of Life Affiliate and Membership Organizations

Gift of Life works in coordination with many donation and transplant organizations both nationally and internationally to uphold the highest standard of practice.

Learn about our partner organizations

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Have a question? Call (215) 557-8090 if you have an immediate need.

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