Last year, we saved more lives than ever before.
Here’s how we did it.
When I started with Indiana Donor Network more than 21 years ago, we looked quite a bit different than we do today. At that time, we had fewer than 50 employees and transplanted fewer than 400 organs annually. Today, we have more than 250 dedicated team members, and in just one year, we transplanted 949 organs. We also have a state-of-the-art Organ and Tissue Recovery Center and a fleet of aircraft to transport those lifesaving organs wherever they need to go. We have an aftercare support program that provides hope and healing to thousands of families each year and public outreach initiatives that reach millions of people annually.
This type of growth doesn’t happen by accident; it occurs only if an organization remains dedicated to its mission, vision and values over the long run. I’m proud to say we’ve done just that.
In fact, despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years, we’ve seen the highest growth rate in our organization’s history. This year alone, we transplanted 10% more organs than in 2020, which was itself a record-breaking year. On the tissue side, we recovered more heart valves than ever before, beating a record previously set in a year without pandemic-related challenges.
Of course, none of this is possible without the incredible generosity of Hoosier donors and their families. They are the true heroes of this story, and we are honored to help them leave a legacy of life.
The impact we’ve made also wouldn’t be possible without our professional and community partners. Organizations and individuals from hospitals, transplant centers, state and local governments, funeral homes, schools and more have all helped us get to where we are today.
Thank you to all of you who support our mission and help us save lives. While our gratitude is immense, it cannot match the appreciation of the more than 800 patients who received a lifesaving transplant last year.
Kellie Tremain,
RN, MBA
President and CEO
When I started with Indiana Donor Network more than 21 years ago, we looked quite a bit different than we do today. At that time, we had fewer than 50 employees and transplanted fewer than 400 organs annually. Today, we have more than 250 dedicated team members, and in just one year, we transplanted 949 organs. We also have a state-of-the-art Organ and Tissue Recovery Center and a fleet of aircraft to transport those lifesaving organs wherever they need to go. We have an aftercare support program that provides hope and healing to thousands of families each year and public outreach initiatives that reach millions of people annually.
This type of growth doesn’t happen by accident; it occurs only if an organization remains dedicated to its mission, vision and values over the long run. I’m proud to say we’ve done just that.
In fact, despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years, we’ve seen the highest growth rate in our organization’s history. This year alone, we transplanted 10% more organs than in 2020, which was itself a record-breaking year. On the tissue side, we recovered more heart valves than ever before, beating a record previously set in a year without pandemic-related challenges.
Of course, none of this is possible without the incredible generosity of Hoosier donors and their families. They are the true heroes of this story, and we are honored to help them leave a legacy of life.
The impact we’ve made also wouldn’t be possible without our professional and community partners. Organizations and individuals from hospitals, transplant centers, state and local governments, funeral homes, schools and more have all helped us get to where we are today.
Thank you to all of you who support our mission and help us save lives. While our gratitude is immense, it cannot match the appreciation of the more than 800 patients who received a lifesaving transplant last year.
Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years, we’ve seen the highest growth rate in our organization’s history.
Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years, we’ve seen the highest growth rate in our organization’s history.
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WHO WE ARE
Our mission is to save and heal lives through organ, tissue and eye donation and transplantation.
The decision to become an organ, tissue and eye donor is a decision to give the gift of life. Indiana Donor Network serves as the vital link between donors and patients waiting for lifesaving organ transplants, healing tissue and corneas to restore sight. We are the federally designated organ recovery organization for 85 of Indiana’s 92 counties and an accredited tissue bank. Our team of more than 250 dedicated professionals is committed to saving and healing lives through donation and transplantation, championing the cause through education and outreach, and supporting families of donors in their time of need.
Every team member performs their responsibilities according to our three values.
THINK BIG
Bring our passion.
Push the boundaries.
Tackle challenges.
SERVE WELL
Be a good steward.
Support the team.
Respect those we serve.
BE REMARKABLE
Champion the cause.
Do exceptional work.
Leave a lasting impresion.
THINK BIG
Bring our passion.
Push the boundaries.
Tackle challenges.
SERVE WELL
Be a good steward.
Support the team.
Respect those we serve.
BE REMARKABLE
Champion the cause.
Do exceptional work.
Leave a lasting impression.
WHAT WE DO
Save Lives.
Indiana Donor Network is the vital link between donors and recipients. We work with families, hospital partners, coroners, funeral directors and others to recover and transplant lifesaving organs, healing tissues and corneas that restore sight.
Save Lives.
Indiana Donor Network is the vital link between donors and recipients. We work with families, hospital partners, coroners, funeral directors and others to recover and transplant lifesaving organs, healing tissues and corneas that restore sight.
Care for Families.
Donors are heroes, and we provide each of their families the best possible care before, during and after their loved one’s donation. We offer guidance, counseling and grief support to every donor family, often for many years after their loved one’s donation.
Care for Families.
Donors are heroes, and we provide each of their families the best possible care before, during and after their loved one’s donation. We offer guidance, counseling and grief support to every donor family, often for many years after their loved one’s donation.
Increase Donation.
In the U.S., 16 people die each day because the organ they need does not become available in time. We’re committed to ending that wait and saving more lives by getting more Hoosiers to say “yes” to being organ and tissue donors.
Increase Donation.
In the U.S., 16 people die each day because the organ they need does not become available in time. We’re committed to ending that wait and saving more lives by getting more Hoosiers to say “yes” to being organ and tissue donors.
IMPACT AT A GLANCE
IN 2021, WE SAVED AND HEALED MORE LIVES THAN EVER BEFORE.
organs transplanted.
tissue and cornea donors.
organ donors.
tissues recovered.
donor family members served.
organs transplanted.
tissue and cornea donors.
organ donors.
tissues recovered.
donor family members served.
organs transplanted.
organ donors.
tissues recovered.
tissue and cornea donors.
donor family members served.
Please note: According to a new federal rule that went into effect in December 2020, a patient is an organ donor if at least one organ was transplanted, or if the pancreas was recovered for research or islet cell transplantation.
An organ transplanted is any organ transplanted or a pancreas recovered for research or islet cell transplantation.
SAVING AND HEALING LIVES
Indiana Donor Network is the vital link between donors and recipients. We work with families, hospital partners, coroners, funeral directors and others to recover and transplant lifesaving organs, healing tissues and corneas that restore sight.
Jump to:
In 2021, 276 organ donor heroes and 1,357 tissue and cornea donor heroes gave the gift of life through Indiana Donor Network. Each of these donors and their families has brought hope and healing to grateful recipients. We are thankful to each one of them.
ORGAN DONATION
To get to 949 organs transplanted, a 10% increase from 2020, our team had to innovate at a level we’d never seen before.
We revolutionized our approach to donation after cardiac death by:
- Increasing our staff’s on-site presence at donor hospitals and leveraging our new team of in-house surgical recovery specialists to provide education and assistance to donor hospital surgical staff during recovery.
- Improving the way we communicate with the patients’ physicians.
- Increasing our maximum age for potential donors.
- Expanding the evaluation of potential donation-after-cardiac-death donors beyond just neurological injuries to also include trauma, hemodynamics and respiratory issues.
Some of the additional ways we’re pushing the boundaries to save more lives include:
indiana donor network organ and tissue recovery center
indiana donor network organ and tissue recovery center
- 109 on-site organ donors.
- 461 organs transplanted from our on-site facility.
- 109 on-site organ donors.
- 461 organs transplanted from our on-site facility.
Indiana Donor Network is among only a few organ procurement organizations in the U.S. that have on-site recovery capabilities.
In 2021, we expanded our Organ and Tissue Recovery Center to include:
These innovations enable Indiana Donor Network to better facilitate organ and tissue recovery at our facility, as opposed to a hospital operating room. Doing so leads to more lives saved, a better experience for the donor’s family, an improved process for our hospital partners and reduced healthcare costs.
a focus on kidney transplantation
Indiana Donor Network’s kidney perfusion program is a game-changer for those waiting on a lifesaving kidney transplant.
More than 83% of those waiting on a lifesaving organ transplant are waiting on a kidney. That’s why our team developed new ways to increase successful kidney transplantation.
In 2021, we expanded our Organ and Tissue Recovery Center to include the following innovations:
We created a new 12-person team of surgical recovery specialists within our Organ and Tissue Recovery Center who are specially trained on the use of kidney perfusion pumps.
We take the kidney pumps into the operating room during recovery, making us one of the only organ procurement organizations in the country to do so.
We transport kidneys on pumps up to 250 nautical miles from our Organ and Tissue Recovery Center, which covers 40 transplant centers across the Midwest.
From the time of recovery until the time the kidney is delivered to a transplant center, the organ remains on the perfusion pump, allowing us to monitor the kidney’s temperature and vascular performance.
Because kidney pumps have been shown to reduce the delay of kidney function post-transplant by up to 50%, our innovative approach allows us to transplant kidneys that previously would not have been considered viable – saving more lives.
Because kidney pumps have been shown to reduce the delay of kidney function post-transplant by up to 50%, our innovative approach allows us to transplant kidneys that previously would not have been considered viable – saving more lives.
Because kidney pumps have been shown to reduce the delay of kidney function post-transplant by up to 50%, our innovative approach allows us to transplant kidneys that previously would not have been considered viable – saving more lives.
tissue donation
One tissue donor can save or heal up to 75 people.
From burn victims in need of a lifesaving skin graft to pediatric heart patients in need of a heart valve, tissue transplant continues to be a critical field of medicine.
BREAKING RECORDS
A record-breaking 149 heart valve recoveries were performed in 2021.
Heart valves are used in lifesaving valve replacement surgery and reconstructive cardiac surgery.
Pictured at right: Lisa Vanderkleed, mother of donor hero Logan Vanderkleed, holds Lillian Wilson, recipient of one of Logan’s heart valves.
BREAKING RECORDS
A record-breaking 149 heart valve recoveries were performed in 2021.
Heart valves are used in lifesaving valve replacement surgery and reconstructive cardiac surgery.
Pictured at right: Lisa Vanderkleed, mother of donor hero Logan Vanderkleed, holds Lillian Wilson, recipient of one of Logan’s heart valves.
BREAKING RECORDS
A record-breaking 149 heart valve recoveries were performed in 2021.
Heart valves are used in lifesaving valve replacement surgery and reconstructive cardiac surgery.
Pictured below: Lisa Vanderkleed, mother of donor hero Logan Vanderkleed, holds Lillian Wilson, recipient of one of Logan’s heart valves.
Our 1,357 tissue donors from 2021 have the potential to impact more than 100,000 lives.
- In 2021, we saw a tissue recovery error rate of 0.46% — a remarkably low percentage.
— Mandy Montgomery
Sister of donor hero Chris Curry
In the end, something really great came out of a senseless tragedy. We were able to do what Chris wanted, and that’s been awesome.
— Mandy Montgomery
Sister of donor hero Chris Curry
In the end, something really great came out of a senseless tragedy. We were able to do what Chris wanted, and that’s been awesome.
— Mandy Montgomery
Sister of donor hero Chris Curry
CARING FOR FAMILIES
Donors are heroes, and we provide each of their families the best possible care before, during and after their loved one’s donation. We offer guidance, counseling and grief support to every donor family, often for many years after their loved one’s donation.
Caring for the families of our donor heroes is one of the most important things we do at Indiana Donor Network. It starts at the hospital bedside when a family has just received the worst possible news about their loved one.
Highly skilled family advocates provide counseling, support and education about how a family’s loved one may be able to save lives through donation. Our clinical support coordinators speak with thousands of Hoosier families each year, educating them on the opportunity for tissue donation and walking them carefully through the steps of the process to ensure they feel informed and supported.
In 2021, we had five consecutive months of higher than 60% family authorization rate for non-donor-designated brain death patients.
Tina Gaither
Daughter of an organ donor
and advocate for donation
Tina Gaither
Daughter of an organ donor
and advocate for donation
In 2021, we had five consecutive months of higher than 60% family authorization rate for non-donor-designated brain death patients.
In 2021, we had five consecutive months of higher than 60% family authorization rate for non-donor-designated brain death patients.
Tina Gaither
Daughter of an organ donor and advocate for donation
BUT IT DOESN’T END THERE…
Our aftercare support team goes above and beyond to provide grief resources to thousands of donor family members every year. We join our donors’ families by celebrating their loved ones’ gifts every chance we get.
Above: Attendees from around the state of Indiana, other parts of the country, and even different countries logged in to honor friends and loved ones who became donor heroes.
Above: The Gift of Life Celebration was held virtually in 2021.
Our aftercare support team goes above and beyond to provide grief resources to thousands of donor family members every year. We join our donors’ families by celebrating their loved ones’ gifts every chance we get.
Above: Attendees from around the state of Indiana, other parts of the country and even different countries logged in to honor friends and loved ones who became donor heroes.
Above: The Gift of Life Celebration
was held virtually in 2021.
Above: 2021 Donor Hero Camp.
This year, we also placed a greater emphasis on the youngest members of donor families – children. Our Children’s Support Journey provides ongoing resources for children of all ages, allowing them to remember their loved ones and learn as they grieve and grow.
Through our Children’s Support Journey, we supported 83 families by providing grief resources, education and opportunities for kids to honor their donor heroes.
Donor Hero Camp is one facet of the Children’s Support Journey.
This year, we also placed a new emphasis on the youngest members of donor families – children. Our Children’s Support Journey provides ongoing resources for children of all ages, allowing them to remember their loved ones and learn as they grieve and grow.
Through our Children’s Support Journey, we have provided grief resources, education and opportunities for kids to honor their donor heroes to 83 families.
Donor Hero Camp is one facet of the Children’s Support Journey.
Above: 2021 Donor Hero Camp.
INCREASING DONATION RATES
Indiana Donor Network is the vital link between donors and recipients. We work with families, hospital partners, coroners, funeral directors and others to recover and transplant lifesaving organs, healing tissues and corneas that restore sight.
Jump to:
Every Hoosier can provide hope to thousands of patients who need an organ, tissue or cornea transplant.
We only need to say “yes” to donation by signing up as a donor or authorizing donation on behalf of a loved one.
Here’s what we’re doing to make that happen.
More than
new Hoosiers were added to the Indiana donor registry.
We achieved more than
impressions through public awareness and education campaigns promoting donation.
We led
school and community presentations and activations.
More than
new Hoosiers were added to the Indiana donor registry.
We achieved more than
impressions through public awareness and education campaigns promoting donation.
We led
school and community presentations and activations.
Nearly 50% of Hoosiers are now aware of our organization through our marketing, communications and outreach efforts, compared to only 36% in 2016.
in the community
Reaching communities underrepresented in the Indiana donor registry is a priority for our team.
Above: Community advocate Curtis Warfield (left) volunteering at the Indiana Donor Network booth for the 2021 Celebrate Science Indiana event at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Above: Indiana Donor Network and Donate Life Indiana partnered with Radio One and Alpha Phi Alpha for a float in the 2021 Circle City Classic parade.
This year’s outreach ranged from presentations at the Consulate of Mexico in Indianapolis and a float in the Circle City Classic parade to the development of extensive strategic partnerships with organizations reaching these communities.
Partnerships include one with the District of Indiana for Alpha Phi Alpha, one of the country’s largest African-American fraternities, as well as one with the South Bend Cubs’ Los Cabritos Maldichos series of games highlighting the Latinx community.
1,017
guests attended Indiana Donor Network Foundation events in 2021 to celebrate the gift of life, remember their loved ones, express gratitude for their transplants or support our cause.
Proceeds from events benefit the Indiana Donor Network Foundation, which aids donor families and transplant recipients.
20%
increase in public awareness of Indiana Donor Network from mid-2020 to mid-2021.
Garnered nearly
85,000
impressions and interactions through outreach programs.
1,017
guests attended Indiana Donor Network Foundation events in 2021 to celebrate the gift of life, remember their loved ones, express gratitude for their transplants or support our cause.
Proceeds from events benefit the Indiana Donor Network Foundation, which aids donor families and transplant recipients.
20%
increase in public awareness of Indiana Donor Network from mid-2020 to mid-2021.
Garnered nearly
85,000
impressions and interactions through outreach programs.
1,017
guests attended Indiana Donor Network Foundation events in 2021 to celebrate the gift of life, remember their loved ones, express gratitude for their transplants or support our cause.
Proceeds from events benefit the Indiana Donor Network Foundation, which aids donor families and transplant recipients.
20%
increase in public awareness of Indiana Donor Network from mid-2020 to mid-2021.
Garnered nearly
85,000
impressions and interactions through outreach programs.
TOGETHER,
WE ARE
UNSTOPPABLE.
TOGETHER,
WE ARE
UNSTOPPABLE.
creating professional support for donation
Donation and transplantation are not possible without our hospital partners, coroner offices, funeral homes and other professionals.
Because their support makes donation possible, we believe it is our job to serve those professionals any way we can.
To that end, we didn’t let the pandemic stop us from providing education and resources to nurses, respiratory therapists, physicians, coroners, funeral directors and others. This engagement has resulted in increased participation in the donation process.
increase in referral calls to the Vital Link Donation Center (2020 to 2021).
decrease in missed organ donation referrals.
faster on-site time for Indiana Donor Network staff working organ donation cases.
increase in referral calls to the Vital Link Donation Center (2020 to 2021).
decrease in missed organ donation referrals.
faster on-site time for Indiana Donor Network staff working organ donation cases.
Recognizing and supporting hospital care teams is critical to saving lives through donation and transplantation.
creating positive working relationships:
Physicians, coroners and funeral directors
In coroners’ cases, coroner authorizations have led to a 12% increase in organs transplanted.
Further, coroners continued to support tissue donation in 2021, making 1,622 referrals that resulted in 61 donors.
95% of physicians and advanced practitioners reported a positive experience working with Indiana Donor Network.
(2021 healthcare partner survey)
Funeral directors are a key constituent for Indiana Donor Network.
Not only do they care for the same families we do, but they can play an essential role in championing organ and tissue donation. By implementing more robust and proactive funeral director outreach efforts, including a funeral home partnership program, a suite of resources and a “Tissue Talks” series, we have seen a marked decrease in the number of issues reported by funeral homes.
Far Left: Funeral Director Recognition Day “thank you” box.
Left: 2021 Funeral Director Symposium invitation.
Funeral directors are a key constituent for Indiana Donor Network.
Not only do they care for the same families we do, but they can play an essential role in championing organ and tissue donation. By implementing more robust and proactive funeral director outreach efforts, including a funeral home partnership program, a suite of resources and a “Tissue Talks” series, we have seen a marked decrease in the number of issues reported by funeral homes.
Top: Funeral Director Recognition Day “thank you” box.
Above: 2021 Funeral Director Symposium invitation.
Funeral directors are a key constituent for Indiana Donor Network.
Not only do they care for the same families we do, but they can play an essential role in championing organ and tissue donation. By implementing more robust and proactive funeral director outreach efforts, including a funeral home partnership program, a suite of resources and a “Tissue Talks” series, we have seen a marked decrease in the number of issues reported by funeral homes.
Left: Funeral Director Recognition Day “thank you” box.
Right: 2021 Funeral Director Symposium invitation.
Use of iReferral leads to increase in timely referral rate
Each hospital’s first priority is to save their patients’ lives. Only after all lifesaving measures have failed is organ donation considered.
In these cases, our hospital partners refer patients to Indiana Donor Network. It is incredibly important for hospitals to refer potential organ donor patients within one hour of that patient meeting certain clinical criteria. Research shows that probability of a successful organ donation is 30% more likely if the referral is made within one hour of the donor being vented.
One hospital, Parkview Regional Medical Center, worked with Indiana Donor Network to implement a program called iReferral to increase the number of referrals made in a timely manner. iReferral allows a patient’s care team to submit referrals online instead of placing a phone call to Indiana Donor Network. Working hand-in-hand with Indiana Donor Network, Parkview began submitting about half their vented referrals using the new iReferral system, and half their referrals using the traditional phone method. On referrals submitted via iReferral, we saw an 18% improvement in the timely organ referral rate compared to referrals submitted via phone during the same time period.
Since 7.16.21 — Submitted via iReferral:
In the first year of implementation:
Since 7.16.21 — Submitted via iReferral:
In the first year of implementation:
Since 7.16.21 — Submitted via iReferral:
In the first year of implementation:
advocating for donor families
and transplant recipients
One of our goals is to ensure state and federal regulations are aligned with what’s best for donor families, transplant recipients and patients waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
Recently, our state and federal advocacy has included:
Adding the ability to sign up as a donor during Indiana hunting and fishing license purchases.
- Signed into law in 2020.
- Implemented for online licenses in 2021.
Supporting the ability to sign up as a donor during the renewal of Indiana professional licenses.
- More than 1 million Hoosiers work in occupations that require them to maintain a professional license.
- If passed as an Indiana law, it would likely increase the number of registered donors, saving more lives.
Advocating for changes to a federal rule to ensure organ donors from all hospitals – regardless of the facility’s classification – can be transferred to the Indiana Donor Network Organ and Tissue Recovery Center.
- Changes to the current regulation could lead to more organs transplanted, a better experience for the donor’s family, an improved process for hospitals and reduced healthcare costs.
- Outdated regulatory barriers currently exist for certain hospitals.Implemented for online licenses in 2021.
serving transplant patients
through aviation
TxJet, the first organ transplant aviation service in the country, continues to fly high for Indiana Donor Network, other OPOs and transplant centers nationwide.
In 2021, TxJet set an all-time record for the number of lifesaving flights in a calendar year.
In 2021, TxJet provided expert aviation services for
35
OPOs and transplant centers.
TxJet flew
56
flights per month, on average.
TxJet flew
677
flights to deliver lifesaving organs to grateful
transplant recipients.
In 2021, TxJet provided expert aviation services for
35
OPOs and transplant centers.
TxJet flew
56
flights per month, on average.
TxJet flew
677
flights to deliver lifesaving organs to grateful transplant recipients.
In 2021, TxJet provided expert aviation services for
35
OPOs and transplant centers.
TxJet flew
56
flights per month, on average.
TxJet flew
677
flights to deliver lifesaving organs to grateful
transplant recipients.
I'm grateful for the chance to live a longer, healthier life. I'm so blessed and I take nothing for granted.
— Dawn Arch, kidney transplant recipient
I’m grateful for the chance to live a longer, healthier life. I’m so blessed and I take nothing for granted.
— Dawn Arch, kidney transplant recipient
I’m grateful for the chance to live a longer, healthier life. I’m so blessed and I take nothing for granted.
— Dawn Arch, kidney transplant recipient
