Increased Need for Organ Donors

Versiti Vice President of Organ & Tissue Donation Colleen McCarthy and Heart Transplant Recipient Bill Simmons talk about how Wisconsin is facing a troubling surge in residents pulling out of the organ donor registry, with removals hitting a record 878 in August alone, nearly three times higher than the previous year. What is driving this downward trend? Are certain demographics or regions within Wisconsin showing higher rates of removal from the registry? What is the projected, tangible impact on the 1,450 Wisconsinites currently waiting for organs. How are transplant surgeons adjusting their care for patients on the waiting list while the supply of organs shrinks? What specific, actionable reforms are being proposed in the 2026 bipartisan federal legislation?