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Corewell Health recently launched a first-of-its-kind tool from Epic and Donate Life America that allows patients to register as organ, eye and tissue donors through MyChart — an online portal patients use to manage their health care.

More than 2,300 patients have signed up since October, placing Corewell Health in Epic’s “Top 10 in the Nation” for signups out of nearly 200 hospitals who have also launched the tool. Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives, restore sight to two people, and heal more than 75 others through tissue donation.

There are nearly 2,700 people in Michigan and more than 100,000 people in the United States waiting for an organ transplant.

"Every life saved by a transplant is made possible by a generous donor,” said Michelle Rizor, director of applications and platforms at Corewell Health. “Bringing this option to our patients will simplify the process of becoming a donor and help us save more lives here in Michigan and across the country. Our incredible registration numbers to date are a testament to the generosity of our patient communities.”

While roughly 50% of U.S. adults are registered organ donors — typically after a trip to the secretary of state — surveys consistently show that 90% of Americans support organ donation. Additional registration methods, like MyChart, offer a way to close that gap.

When individuals choose to register as donors through MyChart, they’re added to the National Donate Life Registry. Their donor registration status then travels with them — even if they move out of Michigan — just like their medical records in Epic, the electronic health record company powering MyChart.

If someone is already an organ donor through the secretary of state, registering again through the patient portal provides an additional layer of convenience and assurance. This makes their donor information even easier to locate in a medical emergency, particularly when they are outside their home state.

Patients can choose to donate for transplant, research and education purposes or for transplant purposes only. Basic patient information already included in MyChart streamlines the registration process and a patient’s decision to donate is not visible to their hospital care teams.

“Donate Life America is excited to work with Corewell Health and Epic to make donor registration more accessible than ever,” said David Fleming, Donate Life America’s president and CEO. “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.” 

“Every new donor registration brings hope to the thousands of Michigan residents currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant,” said Dorrie Dils, Gift of Life Michigan’s president and CEO. “By making it easier for people to say ‘yes’ through a trusted tool like MyChart, Corewell Health is removing barriers and creating real, measurable impact for waiting patients and their families.”

Signing up is easy. Patients can log into their MyChart account and click the “Health Summary” option in the Menu tab. There they will find the option to become an organ donor.

Contact:

Sarina Gleason, sarina.gleason@corewellhealth.org

About Corewell Health™ 

People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people — including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 16,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities — and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.