Chapel Hill, NC (Jan 21, 2026) — HonorBridge, North Carolina’s largest organ donation and tissue recovery organization, is reflecting on an extraordinary 2025, highlighted by record-setting outcomes, innovation, and lifesaving impact for neighbors across the state through organ, eye and tissue donation. The year also marked the organization’s 40th anniversary of serving donor families, recipients and communities throughout North Carolina.
In 2025, HonorBridge recovered 1,155 organs from deceased donors, enabling the transplantation of 906 organs which saved 789 lives. In addition to advancing transplantation science by recovering 231 organs for research, HonorBridge recovered 2,986 tissues – a 6% increase over 2024 – from 1,517 generous tissue donors, marking an 11% increase in tissue donors compared to the previous year.
Committed to saving more lives each year, HonorBridge expanded in-house recovery capabilities and clinical training, completing 25 successful in-house recovery cases and increasing the number of organs transplanted. The organization also continued developing its Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) program, leading to more organs being transplanted from older donors.
Throughout the year, HonorBridge strengthened its key clinical and recovery operations and expanded advanced training for staff. The organization also grew partnerships with national leaders in organ preservation, telemedicine, logistics, and medical technology, enhancing its ability to save more lives and better serve communities in North Carolina and Virginia.
On July 3, Senate Bill 600 (SB 600) was signed into law, including the HonorBridge-backed “Check Yes, Save Lives” initiative, marking a historic opportunity for North Carolinians to sign up as organ, eye and tissue donors when filing their 2028 state income taxes. Other highlights included a debut in the Raleigh Christmas Parade and the launch of Culture Connect, an employee-led initiative to strengthen belonging, well-being and the workplace experience.
“2025 was an incredible year for HonorBridge and for everyone whose lives were touched by organ, eye, and tissue donation,” said Danielle Bumarch, president and CEO of HonorBridge. “I’ve been inspired by our dedicated teams, the generosity of donor families, and the recipients whose lives have been transformed. My hope and expectation for HonorBridge is that it continues to grow, innovate, and reach even more people in the years ahead.”
In 2025, HonorBridge was named Innovative Business of the Year by the Greater Chapel Hill–Carrboro Chamber and recognized as Best Employer in North Carolina for the fifth consecutive year. Additionally, President & CEO Danielle Bumarch was honored as a 2025 Outstanding Woman in Business.
Currently, more than 100,000 Americans remain on the national transplant waiting list, including more than 4,000 in North Carolina. While HonorBridge experienced a record-setting year locally, the U.S. organ donation system faced new challenges in 2025, including a first-time decline in deceased donation in more than a decade. This shift – followed by an increase in misinformation about organ donation – is why it’s so important that trusted organizations like HonorBridge exist and provide education to our neighbors.
HonorBridge encourages everyone to sign up as an organ, eye and tissue donor at honorbridge.org.
