Iowa health systems have launched a new tool allowing patients to register as organ, eye and tissue donors directly through their MyChart patient portals, streamlining a process that officials say has already seen significant adoption.
The integration, developed through a collaboration between Epic MyChart and Donate Life America, allows users to document their donor status privately and securely without leaving their medical records. In addition to connecting patients to the National Donate Life Registry (NDLR), the tool complements existing registration options through the Iowa state registry at iowadonornetwork.org. Having a registration in the national registry helps ensure a donor’s decision is visible to donation professionals outside of Iowa.
Iowa currently ranks eighth nationally for registrations through the platform, with more than 9,000 residents signing up to date.
“Even as a lifelong Iowan, I continue to be amazed by the generous spirit of Iowans and their desire to give,” said Phil Blumberg, CEO of the Iowa Donor Network. “This is just one more way, in a list of many, Iowans are stepping up and helping one another.”
Mr. Blumberg emphasized that while registering is a critical step, patients should also share their decision with family members.
The effort involves several leading Iowa health systems, including University of Iowa Healthcare, UnityPoint Health, Mercy Medical Center and Health Ventures of Central Iowa.
Officials noted that donor status entered through the portal is not visible to a patient’s direct care team — only to donation professionals. Users can update or remove their registration at any time through the portal or by visiting RegisterMe.org.
Nationwide, nearly 110,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant, including more than 600 Iowans. Roughly 50% of U.S. adults are registered organ donors, though surveys consistently show 90% of Americans support donation. According to the Iowa Donor Network, a single organ donor can save up to eight lives, restore sight to two people and heal more than 75 others through tissue donation.
A recent Donate Life America survey found online patient portals to be among the most trusted pathways for donor registration.
David Fleming, president and CEO of Donate Life America, said the technology is significantly changing how the public interacts with the donation process.
“Every one of these registrations represents hope for the more than 100,000 patients on the national transplant waiting list,” Mr. Fleming said.
As of June 2026, nearly 250,000 individuals across the United States have registered as donors through the MyChart interface.
The Iowa Donor Network, the state’s sole organ procurement organization, continues to manage the donation process while providing support for donor families and educational outreach across the state.
