LifeShare Network Partners with New Mexico Donor Services in Groundbreaking Collaboration
Oklahoma City, OK – LifeShare Network and New Mexico Donor Services joined forces to leverage normothermic machine preservation (NMP) technology, marking a first-of-its-kind partnership between two organ procurement organizations (OPOs). During NMP, a donor organ is put on a specialized pump, extending its viability. The innovative approach was created to enhance the impact organ donors can have on those awaiting lifesaving liver transplants.
On June 10, 2024, LifeShare Network and New Mexico Donor Services worked together to facilitate the final, life-saving gift of a 15-year-old donor hero. The donated liver was flown from New Mexico to Oklahoma, perfused at LifeShare Network’s Clinical Innovation Center, and allocated to one of LifeShare’s transplant center partners.
The two OPOs maximized the potential of this priceless act by employing NMP, which allowed the liver to be preserved and assessed for viability over an extended period, ensuring all necessary disease testing was completed for a safe transplant.
“We are incredibly grateful to the LifeShare team, who are pioneers in the OPO space and have generously extended this technology to us,” said Wayne Dunlap, Executive Director of New Mexico Donor Services. “Together, we improved the outcome of this donor hero’s liver and saved a life.”
LifeShare Network was the first OPO in the nation to develop a centralized and OPO-initiated NMP program, which will continue to result in numerous additional lives being saved through organ donation. LifeShare Network plans to grow the program to offer NMP to other OPOs across the region.
LifeShare Network President and CEO, Jeff Orlowski, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, stating, “Our mission is simple and powerful: We save lives and inspire hope. This partnership allows us to impact not just those we serve in our own state but also to leverage paradigm-shifting technology to serve individuals across the country. We believe this collaboration exemplifies the kind of innovative and life-saving work happening every day within our organ donation and transplant system.”
The groundbreaking partnership between LifeShare Network and New Mexico Donor Services showcased the potential for transformative advancements in organ preservation and transplantation, ultimately saving more lives and extending hope to countless families.
About LifeShare Network
At LifeShare Network, Inc, we believe in saving lives and inspiring hope. As a leading non-profit organization, our team fosters a strong commitment to serving Donor Heroes and their families. We ensure lifesaving gifts reach those in greatest need by collaborating with 145 hospitals and 3 transplant centers across Oklahoma.
We are at the forefront of transplant research, innovation and education, made possible by our three subsidiaries: LifeShare Innovations, LifeShare of Oklahoma, and LifeShare Tissue Services, Inc, which all exist from community support of the LifeShare Foundation.
About New Mexico Donor Services
An Extraordinary Commitment to Science, Health and Hope
New Mexico Donor Services’ mission is to save and improve lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. As a nonprofit organ procurement organization (OPO), NMDS connect lifesaving gifts to patients who need them most. NMDS serves more than 2 million people in New Mexico. For more information on New Mexico Donor Services, visit www.donatelifenm.org.
Register to Become an Organ Donor
To register your decision to become an eye, organ and tissue donor, please visit www.registerme.org.
On June 10, 2024, LifeShare Network and New Mexico Donor Services worked together to facilitate the final, life-saving gift of a 15-year-old donor hero. The donated liver was flown from New Mexico to Oklahoma, perfused at LifeShare Network’s Clinical Innovation Center, and allocated to one of LifeShare’s transplant center partners.
The two OPOs maximized the potential of this priceless act by employing NMP, which allowed the liver to be preserved and assessed for viability over an extended period, ensuring all necessary disease testing was completed for a safe transplant.
“We are incredibly grateful to the LifeShare team, who are pioneers in the OPO space and have generously extended this technology to us,” said Wayne Dunlap, Executive Director of New Mexico Donor Services. “Together, we improved the outcome of this donor hero’s liver and saved a life.”
LifeShare Network was the first OPO in the nation to develop a centralized and OPO-initiated NMP program, which will continue to result in numerous additional lives being saved through organ donation. LifeShare Network plans to grow the program to offer NMP to other OPOs across the region.
LifeShare Network President and CEO, Jeff Orlowski, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, stating, “Our mission is simple and powerful: We save lives and inspire hope. This partnership allows us to impact not just those we serve in our own state but also to leverage paradigm-shifting technology to serve individuals across the country. We believe this collaboration exemplifies the kind of innovative and life-saving work happening every day within our organ donation and transplant system.”
The groundbreaking partnership between LifeShare Network and New Mexico Donor Services showcased the potential for transformative advancements in organ preservation and transplantation, ultimately saving more lives and extending hope to countless families.
About LifeShare Network
At LifeShare Network, Inc, we believe in saving lives and inspiring hope. As a leading non-profit organization, our team fosters a strong commitment to serving Donor Heroes and their families. We ensure lifesaving gifts reach those in greatest need by collaborating with 145 hospitals and 3 transplant centers across Oklahoma.
We are at the forefront of transplant research, innovation and education, made possible by our three subsidiaries: LifeShare Innovations, LifeShare of Oklahoma, and LifeShare Tissue Services, Inc, which all exist from community support of the LifeShare Foundation.
About New Mexico Donor Services
An Extraordinary Commitment to Science, Health and Hope
New Mexico Donor Services’ mission is to save and improve lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. As a nonprofit organ procurement organization (OPO), NMDS connect lifesaving gifts to patients who need them most. NMDS serves more than 2 million people in New Mexico. For more information on New Mexico Donor Services, visit www.donatelifenm.org.
Register to Become an Organ Donor
To register your decision to become an eye, organ and tissue donor, please visit www.registerme.org.