Achievements & Goals

Record levels of registration. The Talk Donation campaign. Expanded programs. Top workplace recognition. Simply put, 2017 was a banner year at LifeSource.

2017 Achievement

Setting the Bar Higher

We reached record levels for organ donation and donor registration in 2017. We cared for 184 grieving families as their loved one gave the gift of donation which led to 586 organ transplants.

Additionally, we facilitated eye and tissue donation from 568 donors, which has the potential to save and heal up to 42,600 lives. And while nationally 54% of adults are registered donors, 64% of adults in our region have registered.

Andy Sandness and Dr. Samir Mardini at the 2017 Donate Life Symposium, Spark.
2017 Achievement

A Day of Inspiration & Education

We hosted 693 individuals from 32 organizations on October 26, 2017 at SPARK, our biennial Donate Life Symposium.

Main stage and breakout sessions covered a breadth of topics including pediatric transplantation, donation referrals, simulation labs, and an emotional onstage conversation between face transplant recipient Andy Sandness and his transplant surgeon, Dr. Samir Mardini of Mayo Clinic.

2017 Achievement

Reaching Minnesota's American Indian Community

We launched the Talk Donation campaign to give voice to the diverse community of American Indians in Minnesota who are dedicated to expanding awareness and participation in organ and tissue donation.

With funding from a Minnesota Department of Health grant in partnership with Hennepin County Medical Center, our activities in 2017 laid the groundwork for a culturally responsible, sustainable campaign with this important community.

2017 Achievement

A New Way to Register

We partnered with the Minnesota DNR to implement a program to allow Minnesotans ages 16+ to register as donors when they apply for hunting and fishing licenses online. After one year, 32,350 additional Minnesotans registered as donors through the DNR—and 78% were men. This new program contributed to increasing registration in our communities to 64%.

In 2018 we expect to sustain and increase donor registration as the state implements Real ID, projected to significantly increase the number of Minnesotans renewing their licenses and ID. More Minnesotans in drivers license offices means more opportunities to grow donor registration.

Andy Sandness Meets His Donor Family

In November, we coordinated a meeting between the wife and toddler son of our first face donor with the man who received this incredible gift...

Face transplant recipient Andy Sandness meeting Lily and Leonard Ross

Sixteen months after his 56-hour face transplant surgery, the first ever at Mayo Clinic, recipient Andy Sandness met his donor’s wife, Lily Ross, and their son, Leonard. “I wanted to show you that your gift will not be wasted,” Sandness told Ross.

The story of this special meeting was widely covered by news outlets including CBS NewsThe Washington PostThe Guardian of England and ABC News of Australia.

2017 Achievement

Onsite Serology Lab Program

The serology lab at our headquarters was completed, tested, and revalidated this year. The lab is already helping us to shave hours off the time it takes to complete blood tests before organs can be donated.

In 2018, we hope that the efficiency of our lab will increase donations because grieving families are sometimes reluctant to accept delays when it comes to the stewardship of their loved one.

2017 Achievement

Expanded Eye Donation Services

We continued providing eye donation services in North Dakota, which translates to better service for the state’s healthcare providers, patients, families, communities and the generous people who place their trust in us to be stewards of their gifts of life and sight. North Dakota has one of the highest donation rates in the country.

In 2018 we are launching eye donation services in Minnesota, beginning May 1, 2018. This program expansion will streamline the donation process for the benefit of our hospital partners and the families we jointly serve.

2017 Achievement

Top Workplace Recognition

LifeSource was named a 2017 National Standard Top Workplace (paywall) against WorkplaceDynamics’ national benchmark. This honor is based on feedback provided through our 2017 Employee Engagement Survey.

It’s a reflection on the strength of our team, their engagement in our work and their high level of dedication to the mission of donation.

LifeSource Donate Life green bracelets at a donor family event in Minneapolis
2017 Achievement

Green & Gold Recognition

LifeSource was recognized as a 2017 Wellness by Design “+Green” organization. The award, presented by Hennepin County, recognizes organizations that make employee health a priority through creative and effective wellness initiatives. “+Green” employers demonstrate accomplishments in management support, wellness infrastructure, communication, and programming directed at improving employee health.

LifeSource has an engaged and proactive wellness committee comprised of both local and regional team members. In 2017, the committee expanded our initiatives to provide even more resources and wellness initiatives including physical and emotional health, healthy eating, and other benefits.

LifeSource

2225 West River Road North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Tel: 612.800.6100 · Toll-Free: 1.888.536.6283 · Fax: 612.800.6331
www.life-source.org

LifeSource is a private, nonprofit organization and all charitable contributions are tax deductible.