Promote organ donation
Transplantation depends on the generosity of the American public.
It all starts with you
- Learn the facts
- Sign up to be an organ donor
- Talk about your decision to friends and family
- Include donation in your advance directives, living will and end of life documents
- Support local organizations and events
In the community
As a nonprofit organization, serving the community is at the core of the UNOS mission. In keeping with this commitment, UNOS reaches out directly to members of the transplant community, church groups, civic organizations and the general public by participating in events, exhibits and presentations in our hometown and across the country. Contact your local Organ Procurement Organization (OPO), ask about their upcoming local events, and inquire how you can get involved.
UNOS is active in the state and national health community, and collaborates with organizations across the country to reach thousands of individuals and families through exhibits at health fairs and business expos, community and sporting events and schools and universities. Staff and volunteers speak and distribute brochures and materials that educate and inspire family conversation and donor registration.
In 1992, UNOS helped establish the Coalition on Donation (now known as Donate Life America) to promote organ and tissue donation. Donate Life America is a separate nonprofit organization with affiliates nationwide – and an easily recognizable logo promoting the life-saving power of donation. Learn more
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National events
February 14: National Donor Day
Established in 1998, National Donor Day focuses on all types of donation—organs, tissues, marrow, platelets and blood—and promotes participation in blood/marrow drives or donor registration events. It is also a day to recognize our loved ones who have given the gift of donation, have received a donation, are currently waiting or did not receive an organ in time.
March: World Kidney Day
World Kidney Day is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people in over 150 countries and uniting them to produce a powerful voice for kidney health awareness.
Learn more
April: National Donate Life Month
Like many organ procurement organizations, transplant hospitals and national donation organizations, UNOS promotes donation awareness and registration during National Donate Life Month (NDLM). Established in 2003 and celebrated in April each year, NDLM features local, regional and national activities to help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to celebrate those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.
July: U.S. Transplant Games (even-numbered years)
At the transplant games, transplant recipients compete in Olympic-style athletic events and celebrate the life-enabling gifts of organ and tissue donors. Medals are awarded to winning transplant recipient athletes. Living donors and donor family members also receive medals at separate recognition ceremonies. Learn more
July: Donate Life ECHO
The Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT) and Donate Life America (DLA) joined forces to develop Donate Life ECHO, which stands for Every Community Has Opportunity. It will be celebrated the second and third full weeks of each July, as a nationwide observance designed to reach multicultural communities.
August 1-7: National Minority Donor Awareness Week
Heightened minority-focused outreach activities bring accurate donation messages and inspiring stories to minority communities, encouraging donor registration and promoting healthy living and disease prevention to decrease the need for transplantation. Observances have included prayer breakfasts, health walks, and donor drives.
November: National Donor Sabbath
On Friday through Sunday, two weekends before Thanksgiving, faith communities across the Nation focus on the critical need for organs, tissues, marrow, and blood, and their life-enhancing capabilities. Faith leaders and donation professionals lead discussions of issues concerning donation, and faith communities sponsor donation awareness activities, donor registrations, and speakers during this 3-day celebration of life.
Attend a UNOS event
As a nonprofit organization, serving the community is at the core of the UNOS mission. In keeping with this commitment, UNOS hosts several events each year. UNOS also participates in events, exhibits and presentations in our hometown and across the country.