At a Glance
- Deceased-organ donations fell last year, the first drop since 2012
- Kidney transplants slipped by 116 procedures
- Rare reports of patients almost having organs removed while still alive prompted donor-list deletions
- Why it matters: Fewer organs from deceased donors could lengthen already-deadly waitlists for 100,000 Americans
For the first time in more than a decade, organ donations from the recently deceased declined last year, trimming the number of kidney transplants performed in the U.S., according to data released Wednesday by the nonprofit Kidney Transplant Collaborative.
A Red Flag for the Transplant System
The analysis of federal statistics found 116 fewer kidney transplants in 2024 than the year before-a small but symbolic setback for a system that has posted annual gains except during the 2020 pandemic. More than 100,000 people remain on the national transplant waiting list, the vast majority hoping for a kidney, and thousands die before an organ becomes available.
Dr. Andrew Howard, who heads the Kidney Transplant Collaborative, traced the decline to headline-grabbing incidents in which surgical teams prepared to recover organs from patients who still showed signs of life. All of the procedures were halted in time, but the episodes rattled public confidence and led some individuals to remove their names from donor registries.
Living Donors Offset Part of the Slide
The shortfall would have been larger, Howard said, had it not been for a modest uptick-about 100 additional transplants-from living donors. Living-donor operations account for only a fraction of the roughly 28,000 kidney transplants performed annually, and advocates have pushed to expand that pool as a buffer against swings in deceased-donor numbers.
Despite the dip in kidney procedures, the overall transplant tally rose slightly:
| Organ Type | 2023 Transplants | 2024 Transplants | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kidney | 28,000 (approx.) | 27,884 | -116 |
| Heart | Data not specified | Data not specified | Gains reported |
| Liver | Data not specified | Data not specified | Gains reported |
| Lung | Data not specified | Data not specified | Gains reported |
| Total | 48,150 | Just over 49,000 | Up overall |
Federal analysts credit differences in how organs are evaluated and allocated for the continued growth in heart, liver and lung transplants even as kidney donations slipped.
Calls to Restore Confidence
Although the Kidney Transplant Collaborative conducted the review independently, the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations quickly echoed concerns. In a statement released after the findings, the group urged its members, hospitals and federal regulators “to unite in restoring public trust and strengthening this critical system.”
The United Network for Organ Sharing, which manages the nation’s transplant waitlist, and the federal Health Resources and Services Administration have already begun crafting additional safeguards aimed at preventing any repeat of the near-miss donor cases. Details of the proposed measures are expected later this year.
What Happens Next
For patients like 11-year-old Ava Cooper, who spent more than six months at Cleveland Clinic Children’s awaiting a heart, every organ donation represents hope. Cooper recently received the call that a matching heart was available, underscoring the stakes for families coast to coast.
Transplant leaders say reversing the decline in deceased donors will hinge on rebuilding trust. They plan public education campaigns and policy tweaks to reassure Americans that donation protocols place patient safety first.
Key Takeaways
- Deceased-organ donations fell in 2024, ending 11 years of steady growth
- Kidney transplants bore the brunt, sliding by 116 operations
- Publicized near-mishaps prompted some residents to revoke donor registration
- Living donors helped offset part of the gap
- Advocacy groups are pressing for reforms to bolster confidence and donation rates
