– CORE announces nearly 15 percent increase in donors –

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 9, 2017 – The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE), a federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organization (OPO) serving Pennsylvania, West Virginia and parts of New York, achieved a significant milestone in 2016 with a nearly 15 percent increase in donors (237) over the previous year. The increase directly led to 663 lives saved or enhanced through transplants, an 11 percent increase over the previous year.

The record year is a result of several factors, including solid, trusting relationships with donor hospitals and physicians, strong collaborations with local and regional transplant centers, and a state-of-the-art surgical facility at CORE’s headquarters.

“Behind each one of these numbers is a life that was enhanced or saved because a hero said yes to organ, tissue and cornea donation,” said Susan Stuart, President and CEO, CORE. “Our record-breaking year was a result of the passion and the energy of our community – our donor families, recipients, volunteers, our board, staff and friends. We’re going to build off that energy to make 2017 a successful year, too.”

With the number of people waiting for a transplant far exceeding the organs, tissue and corneas that are transplanted, the need is great. Nationally, more than 119,000 people are awaiting an organ transplant. At least 21 will die each day without receiving one, including two from CORE’s service area. For every person who donates their organs, tissue and corneas, up to 75 lives can be saved or dramatically improved.

About CORE
The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is one of 58 federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States. CORE works closely with donor families and designated health care professionals to coordinate the surgical recovery of organs, tissues and corneas for transplantation. CORE also facilitates the computerized matching of donated organs and placement of corneas. With headquarters in Pittsburgh and an office in Charleston, West Virginia, CORE oversees a region that encompasses 155 hospitals and almost six million people throughout western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Chemung County, NY. For more information, visit www.core.org or call 1-800-DONORS-7.