The Gift of Hope Organ Donor Care Center at Rush, or ODCC, began operations in September 2024. It is Illinois’ first medical and surgical unit specifically dedicated to managing the recovery of lifesaving organs from brain-dead, or deceased, organ donors. The nurses of the ODCC take immense pride in the groundbreaking achievements of this pioneering unit during its first year.
The ODCC is a unique intersection of innovation, compassion and critical care excellence, where the loss of life is transformed into the gift of life for others. As the only donor care center in the state, and among just a few in the nation, the team has built an extraordinary facility from the ground up. Drawing on their diverse intensive care unit backgrounds in medical, surgical, neurological and transplant care, the nurses collaborate to design systems, workflows and protocols that optimize organ donor management and ensure every donor is treated with dignity and respect.
The unit has celebrated significant milestones, including exceeding donor goals and optimizing the viability of hearts and lungs for transplantation through advanced care techniques. The staff emphasizes the importance of utilizing data to drive improvements and foster collaboration among different health care disciplines.
Recognizing the Emotional Journey
Understanding the emotional depth of their work, the team is deeply aware of the donor families’ generosity in times of profound grief and recognizes the comfort organ donation can provide. They also witness the positive outcomes for transplant recipients, who recover and thrive thanks to the care and efforts provided by the ODCC.
Empowering Staff for Excellence
Adaptability and teamwork have been vital to overcoming the challenges associated with establishing a new unit. A strong partnership with Gift of Hope has played a crucial role in enhancing outcomes and communication throughout the donation process. The meticulous nature of donor management is apparent, as every medical intervention — from various lung recruitment treatments to managing medications — can significantly influence the number of lives saved.
The ODCC team promotes a culture where everyone is encouraged to take on leadership roles, valuing their unique strengths and fostering professional growth. The unit has rapidly evolved, refining supply systems, improving workflows and forming in-unit committees tailored to fit the needs of the ODCC, all focused on the common mission of respect and excellence in care.
Committed to Honoring Life
In its first year, the ODCC team facilitated over 460 transplanted organs, with over 400 patients receiving lifesaving organs, demonstrating a new standard for collaboration and innovation in nursing. Their work embodies a commitment to honoring life through technical expertise, compassionate care, and an unwavering dedication to ensure every donor’s final act of generosity continues to offer others a chance for a new beginning.
The Gift of Hope
Between Sept. 19, 2024, and Sept. 19, 2025, the ODCC honored the memories of 128 organ donors who were transferred to the center. Their courageous decision to donate has brought hope and healing to many. Through their selfless acts of generosity:
- 567 organs were recovered
- 463 organs were successfully transplanted
- 414 recipients in both the U.S. and Canada received the gift of life from the ODCC
Additionally, many organs that were not suitable for transplantation were sent for valuable research purposes.
| Organs Transplanted Breakout | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Heart | Kidney | Liver | Lung | Intestine | Pancreas | Heart | Total |
| Transplanted | 68 | 183 | 99 | 102 | 1 | 10 | 68 | 463 |
| Recovered | 78 | 229 | 102 | 136 | 8 | 15 | 78 | 567 |
In partnership with Gift of Hope, Rush is envisioning a worldclass organ recovery center focused on increasing organ yield, enhancing efficiency of the donation process and providing the best possible donor family experience for all donors, with the aspiration to jointly save additional lives and maximize each donor’s gift of life.