Our History
As we celebrate LifeShare’s 40th anniversary, it’s important to reflect on the extraordinary generosity that has shaped our organization. For four decades, donor heroes and their loved ones have transformed tragedy into hope, saving lives, restoring sight, and offering healing to those in need of a lifesaving gift. Each person impacted by organ, eye and tissue donation, each person who shows remarkable courage and compassion, is at the heart of our purpose.
To our donor families, transplant recipients, health care partners, volunteers, former and current staff, and community supporters: thank you. Your belief in the lifesaving possibilities of donation have allowed us to grow, evolve, and advance our mission to save lives and inspire hope. Every life saved, every family supported, and every story of hope stands as a testament to your trust and continued partnership.
As we enter this milestone year, our vision remains as clear: to be recognized as a sustainable global leader in saving lives and inspiring hope through innovation, inclusion and compassion.
Thank you for being a part of our story.
With appreciation,
Jeffrey P. Orlowski
President and CEO
LifeShare Network
40th Anniversary Celebration
Thursday, June 4, 2026
6:00–9:00 PM
City and State Venue
Oklahoma City
Join LifeShare Network for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate 40 years of saving lives and inspiring hope through organ, eye, and tissue donation. This milestone wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our tag agency partners, community advocates, healthcare partners and many others who help advance our mission to save lives and inspire hope through organ, eye and tissue donation.
The LifeShare Legacy Awards honor these partners and the lasting impact they have on donor heroes and their loved ones, recipients and those awaiting lifesaving transplants, and the entire LifeShare community. The winners of each category
– Tag Agency Partner, Donation Champion, Healthcare Hero and Hospital Partner – will be recognized at the
LifeShare 40th Anniversary Celebration on June 4 in Oklahoma City.
June 10, 1986
Incorporation of Oklahoma Organ Sharing Network
1996
First use of laptops to convey donor information to UNOS through the Xpedite system
2000
Pilot of educational curriculum in Oklahoma schools along with first-of-its-kind student shadowing opportunity in partnership with Integris NZTI Organ Donor Education and Awareness Act passes, allowing funds for education surrounding organ donation
2001
2001 LifeShare assumes tissue recovery from Red Cross
2004
Oklahoma Organ Sharing Network changes name to LifeShare Transplant Donor Services of Oklahoma
Introduction of the little red heart on Oklahoma driver’s licenses to replace previous marking
2006
LifeShare purchases first principal office off Broadway Extension and tissue recovery building off 63rd and Hudson
2007
LifeShare reaches 100 donor heroes in one year for the first time
LifeShare is number two in the nation for percentage of driver’s registered as donors
2009
LifeShare Donor Registry launches online, opening the door for more lives saved through donor registrations
2011
LifeShare celebrates 25 years of saving lives and inspiring hope
2012
Jeffrey P. Orlowski is named President and CEO, ushering in a new era of innovation and progress
2013
LifeShare moves offices to current NW Expressway location
2017
LifeShare celebrates 5th consecutive record-breaking year
LifeShare Foundation is established to support the activities and initiatives of LifeShare
2019
LifeShare made history by completing its first recovery of seven organs from a single donor after circulatory death (DCD). This landmark achievement was also the first seven-organ DCD recovery ever performed in the United States.
2021
New LifeShare Clinical Innovation Center opens for tissue recovery, perfusion and research
2022
LifeShare makes history with first successful liver transplant after perfusion
2023
LifeShare Transplant Donor Services changes name to LifeShare Network to represent all branches of life saving and hope inspiring work across organ donation, tissue donation and innovation
LifeShare celebrates 10th consecutive record-breaking year
LifeShare becomes the first OPO in the US to place lungs for transplant after ex vivo perfusion
2025
LifeShare Innovations introduces new shipping method in partnership with MaxQ to increase efficiency in transportation and save more lives
2026
LifeShare continues to make strides in saving lives and inspiring hope through organ, eye and tissue donation