The Midwest Transplant Network (MTN), serving Kansas and Missouri, achieved progress in organ donation and transplantation during 2024, contributing to a year when the United States surpassed 48,000 organ transplants for the first time in history.
Operating from its headquarters in Westwood, Kansas, MTN facilitated 1,075 organ transplants in 2024, the highest number in its history. These lifesaving organs were recovered from 399 donors across their service region. Additionally, the organization worked with 1,447 cornea and tissue donors, enhancing the lives of countless recipients.
MTN’s success stems from its comprehensive approach to organ donation. The organization maintains partnerships with 109 hospitals across Kansas and Missouri, working closely with medical teams to identify and support potential donor cases. Their clinical coordinators operate 24/7, ensuring no donation opportunity is missed while providing compassionate care to donor families during critical moments.
The organization’s impact extends beyond immediate transplant numbers. MTN conducts community outreach across both urban and rural areas, educating residents about organ donation and maintaining donor registries. These efforts help address the ongoing need for donors in their region, where approximately 2,500 people await lifesaving transplants.
The success of organizations like MTN reflects a broader transformation in U.S. organ donation and transplantation. In 2024, the nation’s transplant system performed over 48,000 organ transplants, marking an unprecedented milestone. This achievement represented a 3.3% increase from the previous year, driven by advances in medical technology, improved donation processes, and greater public awareness. Of these transplants, more than 41,000 came from deceased donors, while living donors contributed over 7,000 organs.
Despite these advances, the need remains critical – more than 100,000 Americans continue to wait for lifesaving transplants, underscoring the importance of regional organizations like MTN in bridging the gap between donors and recipients.