This August, Deaconess launched a first-of-its-kind tool allowing patients to register as organ, eye and tissue donors through MyChart—the patient portal used to manage their healthcare. In less than three months, more than 1,000 Deaconess patients have used the new feature to register as organ donors, giving Deaconess the sixth-highest registration total among all U.S. health systems using MyChart.
"Behind every life saved by an organ transplant, there’s a person who made the incredibly generous choice to become a registered organ donor,” Deaconess’ Chief Digital Transformation Officer Jared Antczak said. “This initiative is about more than technology—it’s about compassion and connection. By making registration simple and accessible through MyChart, we’re empowering our patients to make a difference right from their own homes. The response so far shows just how deeply our community cares about helping others.”
When patients choose to register as donors through MyChart, their information is added to the National Donate Life Registry, managed by Donate Life America. That registration travels with them—even if they move out of Indiana—just like their medical records in Epic – the electronic health record platform that powers MyChart. Patients can choose to donate for transplant, research or education purposes, and their donor status is not visible to their care teams to protect their privacy. Because basic patient information is already available in MyChart, the process is quick, secure and easy to complete.
To sign up through MyChart: Log in to your MyChart account and scroll to the “Explore More For You” section near the bottom of the homepage. There, you’ll find the Organ Donor Registration icon. Click the icon and follow the simple, step-by-step instructions to complete your registration—it only takes a few minutes to make a lasting impact.
“Donate Life America is excited to work with Deaconess and Epic to make donor registration more accessible than ever,” said David Fleming, President and CEO of Donate Life America. “By integrating this opportunity into MyChart, we are reaching people where they already manage their health—creating a seamless, trusted pathway for lifesaving generosity. Across the country, we are empowering millions to make a difference and help save and heal lives.”
Nationwide, more than 100,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives, restore sight to two people and heal more than 75 others through tissue donation. While about half of U.S. adults are registered donors, most often through the DMV, nearly 90 percent of Americans support organ donation. MyChart offers a modern way to close the gap by making the decision easier and more convenient.
Deaconess is proud to support organ donation awareness and advocacy as part of its mission to improve health and save lives. In partnership with Donate Life America and Donate Life Indiana, Deaconess will help connect media outlets with individuals in the community whose lives have been directly touched by organ donation for an interview—helping share their powerful stories of hope and healing.