October 27, 2026
Longstanding collaboration honors the gift of donation and enhances lives through tissue donation
Evergen and Midwest Transplant Network (MTN) today announced a major milestone in their longstanding partnership: together, the organizations have made possible more than 1 million tissue grafts for transplantation, helping patients regain mobility, restore function, heal from injury, and improve their quality of life through the gift of tissue donation.
Evergen and MTN honor tissue donors and their families by maximizing the life-changing impact of every donation. Since partnering in April 2009, donor gifts entrusted to MTN are processed by Evergen into grafts used in a range of clinical applications, including plastic and reconstructive surgery, dental, sports medicine, and neuro and spine procedures. On average, each donor hero has helped make about 117 grafts possible, showing how a single donation can create healing opportunities for dozens of patients.
"This milestone represents far more than a number," said Olivier Visa, president & CEO, Evergen. "Each graft reflects the generosity of donors and their families, the power of partnership, and our shared commitment to enhancing patients’ lives through donation."
Over more than 17 years of collaboration, the organizations have remained committed to quality, innovation and responsible stewardship of the gift of tissue donation; and in early 2026, Evergen recognized MTN’s contributions by commemorating the 10,000th donor hero entrusted to Evergen.
"It's overwhelming to know that Midwest Transplant Network has provided 1 million tissue grafts to Evergen in our mission to save and enhance lives through donation. This milestone is only possible because of the generosity and selfless decisions of people who said yes to being adonor," said Lori Markham, president and CEO, Midwest Transplant Network.
"Tissue donation is something you may not hear about as much as organ donation, yet it's just as impactful. Tissue grafts mean restoring mobility to someone with damaged knees or other joints. Donor tissue can be used to replace tissue damaged by tumors or trauma and can help burn victims recover from devastating injuries. Our team is deeply grateful to know that their work has a meaningful impact on people's lives. This milestone is for them, too. They are dedicated to caring for donor heroes in every way, and to know that they've contributed to 1 million tissue grafts to enhance lives is incredible," said Markham.
"As we look to the future, we remain committed to advancing tissue donation, supporting donor families, and expanding the healing potential of every donor gift," said Matthew Crump, executive vice president, Evergen Donor Services. "Together with Midwest Transplant Network, we will continue working to ensure that generosity is transformed into lasting impact for patients in need," said Crump.
Organ, eye and tissue donation changes lives. It touches donor families, recipients, recipient families and living donors in ways that last forever.
Read stories from families whose loved ones gave the gift of life.
Discover inspiring stories of patients who recieved a tissue transplant.
