About Donate Life Northwest

Mission

To save and enhance lives through the promotion of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

Vision

To ensure that everyone waiting for an organ, eye, or tissue transplant receives one.

Organization

(Formerly Oregon Donor Program)

In 1975, responding to medical advances in transplantation, local healthcare professionals formed Oregon Donor Program by bringing together organ, eye, and tissue procurement agencies to collaboratively increase the local donor pool. For thirty two years, Oregon Donor Program successfully advocated for improved donation laws, developed educational programs, and conducted awareness campaigns to enlist the help of organizations, clubs, faith groups and businesses.

In 2007, Oregon Donor Program changed its name to Donate Life Northwest, reflecting the organization’s commitment to increase the number of people signed up as organ, eye, and tissue donors in Oregon and SW Washington.

Donate Life Northwest, currently housed in OHSU space, is incorporated as a private nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) tax status.  Funding sources include grants, corporate sponsorships and contributions, individual gifts, and member agency support.

Donate Life Northwest is governed by a Board of Directors and Advisory Council. The Board of Directors is comprised of health care professionals and community leaders committed to the goals of Donate Life Northwest.

Donate Life Northwest is a proud member of Donate Life America, a national coalition founded in 1992. It is an alliance of 49 national organizations and 47 local coalitions dedicated to educating the public about organ, eye, and tissue donation, correcting misconceptions about donation and motivating people to register as organ, eye and tissue as donors.

Organizational Highlights

  • First state to adopt Routine Inquiry (1985)
  • Established a toll free telephone number for all organ, eye and tissue donation referrals
  • Established Oregon’s statewide Donor Registry in 2007
  • Oregon State legislature adopted the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act in 2007
  • As of February 2010, 2,078,954 individuals are signed up as organ, eye and tissue donors on Oregon's donor registry

Donate Life Northwest Strategic Plan

2010-2012 Strategic Plan

2010 Case Statement