APRIL IS NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH
Indiana father of 2 one of 467 Hoosiers who selflessly chose to be an organ, tissue donor and save lives in 2025
INDIANAPOLIS – Matt Cosand suffered a cerebral aneurysm nearly nine months ago. At just 37 – married with children ages 8 and 3 – he’d never recover.
Cosand chose to be an organ donor when he was 16, reaffirming his decision over the years. In his death, he saved four lives. His heart restored the vibrancy of a woman in her 20s. His liver allowed a man in his 40s to thrive. And his lungs made it possible for a man in his 50s to breathe freely again. With his tissue donations, Cosand healed others, including a 14-year-old boy overcoming a wrestling injury.
His father, Mark, retired just three weeks before his son’s death and imagined his newfound freedom would involve spending more time with his son and his family. He’d help with childcare, run everyday errands for them, attend school and sports functions, having family dinners and so much more.
“I’m getting to do all those things. Except Matt – he’s just not physically here now,” Mark said. “But he’s with his wife and children. He’s with me. And he’s definitely with those who live on because of his gifts.”
April is National Donate Life Month, a time to recognize the selfless decisions of people like Cosand who saved and healed lives by being an organ and tissue donor.
“In Matt’s final act, he provided hope for others,” said Indiana Donor Network President and CEO Kellie Tremain. “The gift of life is the greatest gift anyone can give. Donation is proof that compassion outlives us and can be a new beginning for others.”
In 2025, Indiana Donor Network saved 1,214 lives through the recovery of 1,379 organ donations for transplantation from 467 Indiana donors. The organization also recovered 15,734 tissues to help save and heal lives and restore sight from 1,558 Hoosier donors.
Nearly 109,000 U.S. residents are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, including more than 1,400 Hoosiers. Every day, however, 17 Americans die because the organ they needed did not become available in time.
One organ donor can save eight lives. One tissue donor can help heal more than 75 people. One cornea donor can restore sight to two people.
Through awareness, advocacy and education, Hoosiers are encouraged this month to sign up to be organ and tissue donors. Despite age or medical history, anyone can sign up to be a donor. There are five ways Hoosiers can say “yes” to becoming a donor. They can sign up:
- Online at DonateLifeIndiana.org.
- While conducting business at their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch.
- When they apply online for a hunting, fishing or trapping license through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
- When applying for a professional license to work in the state of Indiana through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
- Through the Health app on their iPhone or iPad.
More than 4.5 million Hoosiers have signed up to be organ, tissue and cornea donors while the Donate Life community nationally has registered more than 170 million Americans to be donors.
About Indiana Donor Network
The decision to become an organ, tissue and cornea 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. The organization is a federally designated organ recovery organization and accredited tissue bank serving 85 of Indiana’s 92 counties. Its team of nearly 400 dedicated professionals is committed to saving and healing lives through donation and transplantation, championing the cause through education and outreach and supporting donor families in their time of need. For more or to sign up as a donor, visit Indiana Donor Network online.
About Indiana Donor Network Foundation
As a subsidiary of Indiana Donor Network founded in 1997, Indiana Donor Network Foundation enhances the lives of those touched by donation through education, innovation, caring and support. The foundation raises funds through individual contributions, special events and sponsorships to support transplant recipients and the families of donor heroes. For more, visit Indiana Donor Network Foundation online.
Indiana Donor Network® and the Indiana Donor Network Foundation® are federally registered trademarks.
About Donate Life Indiana
Since 1998, Donate Life Indiana has been the state-authorized nonprofit organization responsible for managing the Indiana donor registry. Its mission is to save lives by creating opportunities for all Indiana citizens to sign up on the organization’s official state registry while striving to raise awareness for organ, tissue and cornea donation and transplantation through public education. For more, visit Donate Life Indiana online.
