We are so excited to once again celebrate Donate Life Month with you this April.
In this post, we’ll share some interesting statistics about organ donation and the gift of life and give you some options for further reading to join with us in our celebrations.
What is the theme of Donate Life Month 2026?
Here’s how Donate Life chose their 2026 Donate Life Month theme of trees:
“This year’s theme uses trees as a symbol of life and connection. Just like trees grow and support each other in a forest, donation connects people – donors, recipients, and their families. Like a tree that grows and stands for generations, a donor’s gift leaves a lasting legacy of hope and life.”
2026 Transplant Statistics
Donate Life Month is a great opportunity to learn about the far-reaching impact of transplantation. According to a 2026 report from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS):
- More than 49,064 organ transplants were performed in 2025 in the United States.
- On average, 134 transplants took place every day in 2025 in the U.S.
- 7,237 people became living organ donors in 2025.
- For the first time in over 10 years, deceased organ donations decreased in 2025 – underscoring the ongoing need for registered organ donors and living donors.
How much does a transplant cost?
According to data from Milliman from February 2025, the estimated cost of a transplant before insurance is between $577,000 to over $4 million depending on the organ type.
We provide cost reference pages to help you understand how much an organ transplant can cost for families and how many costs may not be covered by insurance before, during, and after a transplant:
Our Favorite Quotes about Organ Donation for 2026
“To fellow transplant patients: never give up hope. You might go through 50 candidates for a transplant and none of them are matches, but maybe 51 is. You can’t give up. You must keep moving forward.”
We’ve collected some of our favorite organ donation quotes for 2026 from the Help Hope Live community as well as celebrities and public figures:
Read Transplant Stories for Donate Life Month
We have interviewed dozens of Help Hope Live clients, family members, and living donors as part of our Touched by Transplant blog series. Revisit the stories now to get a dose of inspiration, insight, and hope:
