The Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency announced today that there were 303 organ donors and 752 tissue donors from Louisiana in 2024. This record number of donors resulted in the transplantation of 883 organs and thousands of tissue grafts. 

LOPA President and CEO Brett Gordon said the agency is honored to play a part in the life saving work that is organ donation and transplantation. “LOPA is committed to maximizing every gift from every hero who has made the decision to become a donor. Because of them, we were able to recover and transplant more organs and tissues in 2024 than ever before, ultimately saving more lives.”

Before Louisiana resident John “Wes” Horton received a liver transplant in April of 2024, he was unsure he would live to see the new year. Because of the selfless gift of his donor hero Mason Kiley of New Orleans, Wes now has a second chance at life. Mason’s decision to register as a donor has brought healing to both his recipients and all who loved him.

“It brings me so much comfort knowing my sweet boy, Mason, lives on in others,” said  Missie Durapau, Mason’s mom. 

Gordon noted that 65% of donor heroes had already made the decision for themselves by registering as donors in advance.  This action not only helps ensure an individual’s end-of-life decision is honored, but it also takes the burden off family members to make a decision during such a traumatic time. 

“The decision to join the Louisiana Donor Registry is a decision to save lives. LOPA’s commitment to our donor heroes, their families, and to all those who have said yes continues well beyond donation. Through our in-person and virtual remembrance ceremonies, we are able to honor our donor heroes and all those who have said yes to donation. In 2024, we honored 566 individual donor heroes and their beautiful heroism,” he said. 

Louisiana residents are encouraged to join the Louisiana Donor Registry through a variety of pathways: in-person at the OMV, online at lopa.org, through the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, or via the LA Wallet App.

LifeNet Health, a global leader in regenerative medicine, recognized LOPA’s Quality Department as one of the top three Quality Assurance Programs in the country. LOPA was honored with the Partnership in Excellence Award during LifeNet Health’s National Recovery Network Services Health Expo on November 13, 2024. 

Created in 2020, the Partnership in Excellence Awards highlight dedication of tissue recovery organizations in musculoskeletal and cardiovascular recoveries. The awards were expanded this year to include Quality Assurance as a separate category, reinforcing the role of quality to fulfill stringent acceptance criteria that ensure safe and successful donations.

LOPA’s Quality Department encompasses oversight for all organs and tissues recovered from donor heroes throughout Louisiana. Last year, the organization honored the wishes of 793 heroes, offering the gift of life to others through organ and tissue donation. 

The conference held from September 10-13, 2024 was an enlightening experience, full of educational value and relevant discussions. The topics covered were not only essential for Community Educators but also offered insights that could help shape the future of our organization. There were key recommendations made that, if implemented, could significantly enhance the impact of LOPA’s mission.

Beyond the knowledge shared, attendees had the opportunity to meet incredible people, each bringing their unique perspective to the conversation on organ donation awareness, reach, disparities, and impact. 

Kristie shared that “this experience expanded my understanding of the life-altering power of donation. As I looked around the room, what struck me most was the collective spirit of unity and purpose. It was amazing to see the faces of people from organizations across the nation in all shades with the same heart posture and purpose to help others.” 

Shai added, “It was truly encouraging to see other organizations across the country step up to address the issue of reducing the number of people on transplant waiting lists, especially within the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community. Although BIPOC individuals represent a minority, they are disproportionately in need of transplants. I am excited to see our organization continue to serve as a lighthouse, providing education, support, access, and care to both donor families and those waiting on the transplant list.” 

Through their participation in this year’s AMAT Conference, Brett, Kristie and Shai were able to network with staff from other OPO's and transplant professionals from around the country to address disparities and share ideas to empower and engage communities and volunteers in furthering the commitment to serving and saving lives.

We look forward to implementing many of the valuable recommendations made in 2025 and are excited about the new opportunities these programs will provide our volunteers to join us in MAKING LIFE HAPPEN. 

According to LOPA President and CEO Brett Gordon, the gap between the need for organ transplants and the supply of donated organs in Louisiana’s multiethnic communities is of particular concern. More than 68% of the waitlist is multiethnic–higher than the national average of 60%.

”Multiethnic communities, specifically within Louisiana’s African American population, have disproportionately higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease--all of which contribute to organ failure, especially kidney failure,” Gordon said. “National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month is an opportunity to not only highlight the need, but also to empower our multiethnic communities to take part in the lifesaving gift of donation.”

LOPA Community Educator and Multiethnic Specialist Kristie Gauthreaux said the organization takes a two-pronged approach to decreasing the number of people waiting for a life saving organ. “As a living kidney donor, I understand that educating multiethnic communities on healthy living can have the greatest impact. We show people how to reduce their risk of needing a transplant, while also putting them in a position to help others as living donors or through deceased donation. Last year, 35% of all Louisiana donors, both living and deceased, were heroes of color.” 

Overall, multiethnic access to transplants is improving. In 2023, nearly half of all organ transplants in the country were performed on multiethnic recipients. Yet the need for organs in every ethnic category remains staggeringly high. On average, 17 people die everyday waiting for a transplant.

“Organ donation is both a precious gift and a limited resource,” Gordon said. “LOPA is committed to maximizing every gift of donation to save and heal as many lives as possible. Ultimately, we need more people to say yes to donation. We encourage everyone to register as an organ, tissue and eye donor and for those who are able, to consider becoming a living donor.”

Data provided by Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, July 14, 2024

Click on the graphics below to access breakdown.

Nelson Hellwig, Chairman of the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) Board of Directors announced today the appointment of Brett Gordon as the organization’s next President & Chief Executive Officer. In addition to years of strategic, financial and general management experience, Gordon has worked extensively in organ and tissue donation as both Chief Financial Officer and Chief Growth Officer at Mid-America Transplant in St. Louis, MO. 

Hellwig said the hire follows a national search of professionals in healthcare and health administration. “As LOPA continues to set organizational records for the number of lives saved, it is clear that Brett’s experience and capabilities make him uniquely qualified to lead the agency at a time of significant growth and opportunity.”

As President & Chief Executive Officer, Gordon will direct all aspects of the organization, including long-term strategic planning, performance management of employees, financial stewardship, policy development, and regulatory compliance. He will ensure the success of the organization in achieving its goals, financial objectives, and core purpose of Making Life Happen.

“I am excited to lead an organization whose commitment to helping save lives, restore health, and enhance medical care resonates with me personally and professionally,” Gordon said. ”I look forward to working with our hospital partners, transplant centers, families, and donation advocates to advance opportunities for the lifesaving gifts of organ and tissue donation.”

LOPA continues to increase the number of heroes honored, families served, and lives saved. In April alone, the organization facilitated the transplant of 116 organs from 38 organ donor heroes. It also honored 58 tissue donor heroes who will save and enhance hundreds of lives through tissue donation. 

While most coroner’s offices throughout the state work with LOPA to offer families the opportunity to help save and enhance the lives of others through tissue donation, the East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office continues to provide more referrals than any other parish. Since taking office in 2012, Dr. Clark has honored over 650 individual donor heroes and their families through the gifts of tissue and eye donation. 

“It has been my mission to work to educate our community on preventable deaths such as overdoses and unsafe sleeping for infants. Unfortunately, we cannot always prevent deaths, but I believe that out of death can come life,” Dr. Clark said. 

Joan Robinson’s daughter, Alexis, was killed by a drunk driver in 2021. Alexis was a 17-year-old high school senior and captain of her volleyball team at Scotlandville High School when she died.

Robinson said she did not hesitate to say “yes” to donation at the hospital. “Alexis had an unrivaled spirit that soared beyond the complexities of her high school life,” she said. “I am comforted by the fact that she lives on in the lives of four recipients.”

Heart recipient Sheryl Armstrong also spoke at the press conference, expressing her gratitude for her donor hero whose decision gave her a life she never thought she’d be able to lead.

The First Lady at New St. Luke Baptist Church, Armstrong said one of her greatest blessings is to be able to advocate for donation, particularly in the African American community, where there is the greatest need. “I think God allowed this to happen to me so that I could share my story. To say, ‘Hey, sign up!’ The more people who become donors, the more people like me will get a second chance at life,” she said. 

Almost 2,000 people in Louisiana are currently on the waiting list for a life saving organ. One organ donor can save up to eight lives. One tissue donor can save and enhance more than 75 lives. Louisianians can register to be a donor at the OMV, online through LOPA.org or via LA Wallet.

ABOUT LOPA

As the organ procurement organization for Louisiana, we help save lives, restore health and enhance medical care through organ and tissue donation. We are a nonprofit that services our state’s diverse community by supporting families through tragic loss, during the donation process, and along their grief journey. Our team is passionate about sharing the impact of donation and educating professionals and the community. For our media kit and additional resources, visit www.lopa.org/media. 

The book is the inaugural release in a series coordinated by LOPA to honor local donor heroes and to help families and loved ones explain organ, tissue and eye donation through the courageous stories of donor heroes. The book supports LOPA’s mission to save lives, restore health and enhance medical care through organ and tissue donation. 

“Ava’s Wish” was written about six-year-old Ava Grace Branstetter who lost her life in 2016. LOPA supported Ava’s family in their decision to donate her organs, which saved the lives of four others in need of her gifts. Ava’s mom, Emily Branstetter, said her family wanted to share Ava’s inspiring story with her siblings, as well as help other children who may be struggling to understand tragic loss and the donation process. “‘I think the book will be very beneficial for everyone,” she said. “I’m very proud of it and it means a lot to me that Ava can continue to inspire others with her story.”

“The LOPA team supports families from the time of their decision to donate and throughout their entire grief journey,” said Lori Steele, LOPA Community Educator and Media Specialist. “This book was the result of working with Ava Grace’s family to honor their hero in a unique way by telling her story and explaining the need for donation to children in an age appropriate way.”

The project was a collaboration between Ava’s family, LOPA and local volunteers, including authors Alisha Prather and Sadie Wilks, illustrator Tagan Mire and designer Elizabeth Perry. “The book honors a little girl with a huge heart who was called to heaven way too soon,” said Prather. “We never had the opportunity to meet Ava but learning about her, seeing photos, and hearing stories from her mom, sisters and grandparents gave us a clear picture of Ava’s joy and her heart.” Wilks added, “The best part of writing this book was getting to know Ava. Telling her story was our honor.” 

Ava’s Wish is available for purchase on Amazon.

It is the inaugural book in the GiftedLife series published by LOPA to share heroic stories of organ, tissue and eye donors and their families, as well as the recipients of their gifts. It is an extension of The Gifted Life podcast, also produced by LOPA. 

LOPA Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ranum announced today the additions of Chad Ezzell as Chief Operating Officer and Maureen Ezzell, Ph.D. as Chief Strategy Officer. Chad and Maureen each bring extensive leadership experience in organ donation, most recently at LiveOnNY, the organ procurement agency (OPO) serving 13 million people in greater New York City and neighboring counties.

Chad Ezzell will be responsible for leading clinical operations for both organ and tissue recovery. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the agency, he will implement and streamline processes to maximize every gift of donation. 

As Chief Strategy Officer, Dr. Maureen Ezzell will drive innovation and identify new growth opportunities. She will guide strategic planning initiatives to ensure LOPA’s long-term success. 

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“We are pleased to welcome two outstanding professionals to our team,” said Ranum. “Both Chad and Maureen have made significant contributions to the organ procurement agencies they have worked with in the past. We are fortunate to have their expertise as we set the foundation to become one of the leading OPOs in the nation.” 

LOPA Board Chair Ari Cohen, MD, who also serves as Medical Director of Multi-Organ Transplant Institute at the Ochsner Health System, said the additions mark the first major expansion of LOPA’s executive team since it was founded more than 30 years ago. “As an organization focused on organ donation, we are taking a bold step forward. By diversifying our leadership structure, we are moving LOPA forward and ensuring our strategic growth and stability.”

Chad Ezzell has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Science degree in Healthcare Management from the University of St. Joseph. Dr. Maureen Ezzell has Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Clinical Laboratory Science from Maryville University of St. Louis, and a PhD in Pathology from Saint Louis University. Dr. Ezzell is an ASCP registered Medical Technologist and holds a certificate in Project Management from Cornell University.

LOPA has created a podcast specifically for medical professionals and healthcare partners in the field of organ donation and transplantation. Designed to cover a variety of topics in a compressed format, each episode is approximately ten minutes long. New episodes are released every Monday, with the most recent, Guiding Families through the Results of Brain Death Testing, released on July 17th.

“We understand the time constraints in the medical community,” said LOPA CEO Kelly Ranum. “The shorter format allows information to be shared in an easily digestible format. Connected by Life is accessible through podcast apps, making it an efficient vehicle to learn about issues and advancements in donation and transplantation while people are on the go.”

There are eleven episodes already available, covering topics such as donation after circulatory death (DCD), brain death determinations, and physician burnout. 

The show is hosted by LOPA’s Physician and Donation Specialist at the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency, Shawn-Paul Harrison. Throughout his two decades at the agency, he has served in various leadership roles in the areas of hospital development, family advocacy, and physician engagement. His unwavering passion lies in assisting physicians during times of bereavement to effectively support families and facilitate the remarkable Gift of Life.

Find out more about this innovative new podcast at lopa.org/life. 

For media inquiries, contact Jill Willie, jwillie@lopa.org

For show information, story ideas or to be a guest on the podcast, contact Shawn-Paul Harrison, sharrison@lopa.org or click here.

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“Aliye’s Law” Promotes Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation Education as a Required Component of Louisiana’s High School Curriculum

Today, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards formally signed Act 180, also known as Aliye’s Law. Effective August 1, 2023, Aliye’s Law will ensure facts about organ, tissue and eye donation are taught in a high school course required for graduation.

The legislation, authored by Louisiana Representative Barry Ivey, was inspired by the family of 20-year-old Aliye Ringe, who became a donor hero in December 2021. Ringe’s grandmother Leah Veck, a veteran educator, explained to lawmakers that education about the donation and transplantation process is crucial for all.

Veck said, “More people need to know about donation. By initiating Aliye’s Law and working to get it passed, I am living like my beloved Aliye–saving lives with her through organ donation education.”

More than 100,000 people across the country are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant with almost 2,000 of them here in Louisiana. Thousands more people are waiting for life changing cornea and tissue transplants. According to LOPA CEO Kelly Ranum, donation is both a precious gift and a limited resource. “Because only three in 1000 people die in a way that allows for organ donation to take place, it is vitally important for everyone to register their decision to be an organ, tissue and eye donor,” she said.

Aliye’s decision led to five strangers receiving the ultimate Christmas gift, the gift of life. Aliye was in a tragic car accident and on December 23, was declared brain dead. Because she had signed up to be an organ donor when she got her first drivers license at the age of 16, her family honored her decision. Veck explained that registering as an organ donor was completely in line with her character, as she was the type of person who wanted to help everyone.

“My biggest fear is Aliye being forgotten,” said Aliye’s mother Lenzi Davis. “My mother will not let that happen. I truly believe my mother was put on this earth to educate. She is doing God’s work....and so is Aliye from up above, just on the other side. I believe in organ donation and I am proud that as Aliye’s story is shared, she continues to save lives.”

Ranum explained that organ donation and transplantation is an important health issue–especially in Louisiana where we have a high prevalence of diseases and conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease–all of which contribute to organ failure.

Aliye’s family volunteers with the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (or LOPA) to honor Aliye’s legacy and to save more lives through donation education.

Aliye’s Law passed both chambers of the Louisiana legislature without opposition. Representatives Roy Daryl Adams, Dewith Carrier, Robby Carter, Kenny Cox, Paula Davis, Phillip DeVillier, Michael “Gabe” Firment, Foy Bryan Gadberry, Cedric Glover, Scott McKnight, Clay Schexnayder, Joseph Stagni, Polly Thomas, Francis Thompson, and Malinda White joined as coauthors. It was signed into law on June 8, 2023 and ceremoniously signed in the presence of Aliye’s beloved family on July 11.

New Orleans, Louisiana (March 2, 2023) – Taylor’s Gift Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families of organ, tissue and eye donors, announced today that Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) has partnered with them to offer its grief support program, “Kindred Hearts,” designed specifically for donor families.

Watch the news story on Fox 8 Live

"Our goal with the Kindred Hearts program is to provide dedicated grief support to families of organ and tissue donors," said Tara Storch, co-founder of Taylor's Gift Foundation. "With our Kindred Hearts Program, we step into that space, providing donor families with caring support and also the ability to connect with people who have experienced similar emotional pain and trauma. We don’t want financial constraints ever to be a reason that a donor family isn’t able to get the emotional support they need, so all of our services have no fees.”

Donor families from across the country who participate in Taylor’s Gift Kindred Hearts Program receive a personal Caring Guide trained to help them navigate their grief journey and access support groups. The groups are offered virtually for individual and family groups.

Nila Schwab, LOPA Family Services Coordinator, states,“As a Family Services Coordinator, it is an honor to partner with Taylor’s Gift in offering the Kindred Hearts Program. This dedicated grief support adds an additional layer of support for families along their grief journey at no cost. The staff and Caring Guides at Taylor’s Gift Kindred Hearts Program are responsive, genuine and knowledgeable in the area of grief support. We are grateful to have this resource to offer the donor families in our area.”

Thirteen years ago, Storch and her husband, Todd, were searching for similar emotional support when they lost their oldest child, Taylor, in a tragic skiing accident. Taylor went on to become an organ donor, saving and improving the lives of five people. While this fact brought comfort to the Storches, it also surfaced many other emotions they weren't equipped to handle. Their own personal experience motivated them to create their nonprofit organization, Taylor’s Gift Foundation, and subsequently, the Kindred Hearts Program.

"LOPA looks forward to offering the Kindred Hearts Program and believes our donor families will greatly benefit from the resources it will provide," said Kelly Ranum, CEO of LOPA. "When someone becomes an organ and tissue donor, the death is sudden and unexpected, leaving family members reeling and trying to process such a sudden and unexpected loss. To know that Taylor’s Gift was created by a donor family who understand this kind of grief is good because they can really relate.”

Dr. Macey Levan, Associate Professor of Surgery and Population Health for NYU Lagone Health and the Center for Surgical and Transplant Applied Research Qualitative Core director, has been working with Taylor's Gift Foundation on the Kindred Hearts Program. Currently, she and her team are working on a pilot program and research study surrounding the program.

"Organ donation and transplantation can be difficult to understand, especially for a family suffering a traumatic loss. Our team of researchers is working on national efforts with Taylor's Gift Foundation's Kindred Hearts Program to improve the care of donor families by offering dedicated emotional support and improving the culture of organ donation in America. We know the Kindred Hearts Program can fill a community need that we have determined through our ongoing research," said Levan.

Taylor's Gift Foundation hopes to offer the Kindred Hearts Program to organ procurement organizations (OPOs) nationwide so that donor families can access the emotional support they so desperately need as they cope with such devastating losses.

“We know, from personal experience, that organ and tissue donation for a donor family is a mix of grief and gratitude,” said Storch. “It’s grief from the sudden loss mixed with the gratitude that your loved one was able to save lives. Taylor's Gift is honored to offer free emotional resources so that no donor family ever grieves alone.”

For more information about Taylor's Gift Foundation, visit taylorsgift.org. For more information about LOPA, visit lopa.org.

About Taylor's Gift Foundation

Taylor's Gift Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides emotional support to organ donor families. Founded in 2010, Taylor's Gift has a long-standing history of helping individuals and families walk the path of grief. Led by a donor family, professionals, and trained volunteers, their programs provide a safe environment for families and individuals to express feelings and emotions and the opportunity to walk with others who are experiencing a grief journey similar to their own. In 2021, they launched the Kindred Hearts Program to help organ donor families receive emotional support. For more information, visit www.TaylorsGift.org.

About LOPA

As the organ procurement organization for Louisiana, we help save lives, restore health and enhance medical care through organ and tissue donation. We are a non-profit that services our state’s diverse community by supporting families through tragic loss, during the donation process, and along their grief journey. Our team is passionate about sharing the impact of donation and educating professionals and the community.

Listen to episode 193 of the Gifted Life Podcast, where Tara Storch joins our hosts to share details about the Kindred Hearts Program.

The groundbreaking transplant was announced November 22 at Montefiore Medical Center. LOPA’s Chief Clinical Officer, Joey Boudreaux joined Montefiore’s transplant team to discuss the recovery and transplantation process involved in this complex case. 

Following the press conference, transplant recipient Miriam Nieves, a 62-year-old from Westchester, NY, met the family of her donor hero Brittany Newton. Brittany’s mother and two sisters were able to hear Brittany’s heart beating in Nieves’ chest. 

“It came at the right time,” said Brittany’s mother of the chance to meet Nieves and her family. “I hate the way it came, but it came at the right time. My child is still walking around, and for that I will forever be grateful. Believe that.”

This milestone comes almost a decade after the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act enabled people living with HIV to donate their organs to those on the transplant waiting list living with HIV. According to Dr. Jonathan Hand, LOPA Assistant Medical Director and Medical Director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program and the Transplant Infectious Diseases Program at Ochsner Medical Center, “People living with HIV have been saving lives through liver and kidney donation since 2016 under HOPE Act protocols. Now, thanks to the donor and their family, as well as the transplant center and recipient, the donor pool has been expanded for all patients, with and without HIV, waiting for a lifesaving heart transplant. Hopefully, this important milestone will be the first of many as experience grows.”

Boudreaux credited the LOPA coordinators and staff for handling the logistical challenges associated with the distance between Louisiana and New York. “The care teams at both LOPA and Montefiore worked together to give the first second-chance in the world to a heart patient living with HIV.”

July 18, 2022 – Five of the nation’s leading organ procurement organizations (OPOs) today announced the creation of the Organ Donation Consortium (ODC) to provide transformational  leadership in healthcare that will result in significant improvements in organ donation and transplantation for all Americans. Working together, these OPOs are committed to technological innovations and integrations, cross-sector stakeholder collaboration, and transparent accountability.  

With this commitment, the ODC sets out to support legislation and regulations that will address health disparities and save more lives through organ donation and transplantation. Members of  the consortium are: Donor Network West, Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA), Mid-America Transplant Services, OurLegacy and Southwest Transplant Alliance. These OPOs collectively represent a population of almost 38 million Americans.  

New federal performance metrics and standards to hold OPOs accountable for their work have been proposed, debated and revised for the past three years, with finalized performance standards going into effect this year. The ODC has supported OPO reform efforts of Congress and the Department of Health and Human Services and supports further reforms under the Biden  Administration. Reform efforts have been and continue to be necessary to better serve American patients who are awaiting a life saving transplant.  

The ODC’s strategic focus for further reform includes the open integration of systems among all stakeholders – donor hospitals, OPOs, and transplant centers – with the goals of:  

• reducing inefficiencies and errors in the donation process; 

• increasing the number of organs made available for transplant; 

• improving quality through the donation process; 

• reducing the time it takes to shepherd a life saving organ from donor to recipient;

• reducing costs in the donation system; 

• eliminating health disparities; and 

• providing a framework for the consistent and reliable collection of data for performance measurement of all stakeholders that make organ donation and transplantation possible.  

For more information about the ODC and its strategic initiatives, please contact odc@organ.org.