Cleveland Clinic Ranks First Nationally Among Health Systems
CLEVELAND, Ohio — (April 23, 2026) A shift toward digital engagement is transforming how people register as organ donors – and Ohio-based organizations are emerging as national leaders in that movement.
This is being driven by strong collaboration among healthcare systems, Epic, and the use of digital tools during National Donate Life Month. In May 2025, Epic announced a partnership with Donate Life America to allow individuals to register to become an organ donor in the National Donate Life Registry through its patient portal, MyChart.
As of April 12, Ohio ranks second in the nation for MyChart donor registrations, with over 16,500 registrations attributed to organizations headquartered in the state.
MyChart is a secure online patient portal used by health systems across the country that allows individuals to manage their health information, communicate with providers, and now easily register as organ, eye and tissue donors within the platform.
“This kind of momentum shows what’s possible when innovation meets purpose,” said Katie Payne, CEO of Lifebanc. “Digital tools like MyChart are creating more immediate and meaningful ways to reach people and empower them to make life-saving decisions. It’s helping us connect with individuals who may not have otherwise registered and making that choice more accessible than ever – and increasing the potential for more lives to be saved through transplantation.”
Registering through MyChart helps remove barriers by making donor registration simple, seamless, and accessible within a trusted platform patients already use to manage their health.
Among health systems nationwide, Cleveland Clinic ranks first with more than 8,600 total registrations through April 12. Momentum has accelerated significantly in April, with over 3,300 registrations in the first two weeks alone, helping propel the system from fifth to first in the country.
By integrating donor registration into routine healthcare interactions with platforms like MyChart—health systems, in collaboration with Epic and Donate Life America, are helping close the gap between intention and action. While roughly 50% of U.S. adults are registered organ donors, surveys consistently show that 90% of Americans support organ donation. New tools like this one have potential to close that gap.
“Thousands of patients are waiting for a transplant, and donor registration is what makes these lifesaving procedures possible,” said Kenneth McCurry, M.D., Cleveland Clinic’s enterprise director of transplantation. “While clinical innovation continues to expand what’s possible in transplantation, organ donors make these advances a reality. We are grateful to all those who choose to register as an organ donor, as each registration increases the chance of saving a life.”
Currently, the top 10 states for MyChart donor registrations are led by Florida, followed by Ohio, Wisconsin, Washington, Texas, California, Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, and Pennsylvania.
More than 100,000 people nationwide are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant, including more than 1,200 in Northeast Ohio. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and help more than 100 others through tissue and cornea donation.
How to register as an organ donor through MyChart:
- Log into your MyChart account
- Scroll to the bottom of the home page and look for the Donate Life logo
- Review the information and select your registration preferences
- Confirm your decision and submit
To register as an organ donor, sign up through your state registry or participating health systems via MyChart, or visit lifebanc.org. Join the thousands already taking action this month to give the gift of life.
About Lifebanc
Lifebanc is Northeast Ohio's non-profit organ, eye and tissue recovery organization with a mission to save and heal lives. Marking its 40th anniversary, the organization serves over four million people and works with 80 hospitals in a 20-county area. Lifebanc facilitates the organ, eye and tissue recovery and donation processes, provides extensive care and support services to donor families and facilitates community outreach and education programs to encourage registration on the Ohio Donor Registry. For more information on Lifebanc or to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor visit www.lifebanc.org.
Media Contact:
Matt Erman
Manager of Marketing Services, Lifebanc
matt.erman@lifebanc.org
Katie Ely
Manager, PR & Media Relations, Cleveland Clinic
elyk@ccf.org