2019 Annual Report
2019 Annual Report
The seemingly limitless energy of the donation and transplantation community was on full display throughout 2019, the 30th anniversary of LifeSource.
Medical advancements, ambassador advocacy, community events and outreach along with international leadership were just some of the achievements across the Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota region.
A survey of 151 donor families conducted last summer by research firm RPG revealed that 88% were “highly satisfied” with the level of compassion, aftercare and other communications from LifeSource. “I’m more in favor of donation now because of the support we received,” said one respondent.
In June, donor father Mark Little Elk listened to the heartbeat of his daughter, Jasmine, for the first time since she passed. Supporting these rare but powerful meetings between donor families and recipients can offer healing for both sides.
As president of ISODP (the International Society for Organ Donation and Procurement), LifeSource founder and CEO Susan Gunderson led the organization’s efforts to improve donation programs worldwide.
In instances when a heart is not viable for transplantation, it can be donated for research. LifeSource has a 30-year partnership with the U of M Visible Heart Lab. Led by researcher Paul Iaizzo, PhD, the partnership with Visible Heart has led to pioneering research in cardiac physiology, patient care and medical devices.
The “Check the Box” campaign became integrated across traditional and digital media. Along with traditional print and outdoor placements, social media and search ads drove nearly 400,000 people to the website and resulted in nearly 31,500 clicks to register as a donor. The campaign video reached over 2.3 million views and the publication Modern Healthcare recognized the campaign’s efficacy with two awards.
The way in which organizations and individuals came together for the Heart Flight in 1986 set a foundation that enabled 2019 to be the best year yet for donation and transplantation.
In July, LifeSource CEO Susan Gunderson joined donor parents Karen and Steve McCann and Brigadier General Robert Becklund at the Fargo Air Museum for a ceremony to open a permanent exhibit about the historic Heart Flight.
On an icy night in December of 1986, the heart of infant donor Michael McCann was to be flown from Fargo to a waiting five-month-old recipient in San Francisco. When the Learjet and its cargo were grounded by the cold, North Dakota Governor George Sinner ordered an Air National Guard F4 fighter jet into action.
At 3:06 a.m., then-lieutenant Robert Becklund took off solo from Fargo with Michael’s heart on ice in a cooler strapped into the co-pilot’s seat. Just over three hours later, he touched down in San Francisco and handed the heart off to a team from Stanford.
33 years later, recipient Andrew has finished his masters’ degree, traveled to 40 countries and speaks five languages—actively working to fulfill his commitment to make the most out of the life he was selflessly gifted.
Shhh… The garden is sleeping. An indigenous medicine garden began taking form at LifeSource headquarters in 2019, and the soil is now resting and being invigorated based on traditional practices. Designed by Francis Bettelyoun of UMN Native American Medicine Gardens, the new garden will feature plants traditionally used in medicine and ceremonies. The garden will be a learning resource for Native American communities and foster their connection with LifeSource.
At the heart of our work is supporting the families of organ, eye and tissue donors at the time of donation and in the months and years that follow. In 2019, we helped 1,221 families navigate their journey of grief and healing —a 35% increase over 2018.
Regions Hospital served 29 donors in 2019, setting a new record for our three-state region since LifeSource was founded in 1989. The previous record was 27 for total donors in a single year.
With the new Legacy Circle program, recognized on the contributor wall, planned giving lets families carry out their values and inspire a future where everyone shares the gift of life. Nine families have designated LifeSource in their estate planning and three bequests have been received.
The Donate Life Symposium, Spark, took place in October at Mystic Lake Center in Shakopee, Minnesota. The symposium brought together over 750 attendees from donation and transplantation-related organizations around the nation for a day of education and inspiration.
Medical advancements have contributed to the increases in organ donation. For example, organs from donors with Hepatitis C or HIV can now be successfully transplanted thanks to effective drug treatments. And in 2019 a former three-time kidney recipient was able to donate their lungs and liver. Regional transplant centers make these extraordinary donor and recipient matches possible.