More than 75,000 new registered donors and $1.7 million raised for mission.
(January 21, 2025) – Donate Life Kentucky Trust was founded by Kentucky’s Circuit Court Clerks in 1992 to support the lifesaving mission of organ donation and support Kentucky families in need. 2025 is proudly marked as one of the strongest years in its history. More than 75,000 Kentuckians joined the state’s organ, eye, and tissue Donor Registry, and more than $1.7 million was raised to support donor families, transplant patients, and caregivers across Kentucky.
“When Kentuckians choose to register as a donor, or financially contribute to the Trust, they’re helping donor families and transplant patients from every corner of Kentucky,” says Dennis Loy, Adair Circuit Court Clerk.
With more than 1,000 Kentuckians currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant, each registration represents hope. The foresight of Kentucky’s Circuit Court Clerks in establishing Donate Life Kentucky Trust ensures that these decisions are supported by education, stewardship, and access to care for Kentucky families.
“The leadership of the Circuit Clerks continues to shape how we support donor families and transplant patients beyond the moment of registration. We provide financial assistance for lodging, travel, and basic life necessities to ensure families in every county of Kentucky receive access to lifechanging care,” said Shelley Snyder, Executive Director of Donate Life Kentucky Trust.
Through its patient and family support programs, Donate Life Kentucky Trust provided direct support to more than 100 families with pre- and post-transplant assistance essentials such as gas and grocery cards, rent and utility assistance, and medication and co-pay support. Additionally, Donate Life Kentucky Trust helped donor families with funeral and memorial needs through their Donor Family Support Program.
Donate Life Kentucky Trust also provided more than $20,000 in scholarships through the Circuit Clerk Trust Endowment Fund for students who wanted to creatively express their donation and inspire others to register as donors. Scholarship applications for this year are due on April 6, 2026. Everyone can apply online – no minimum GPA or extracurriculars necessary: https://www.donatelifeky.org/news/investing-in-the-next-generation-of-donate-life-advocates/
In 2026, Donate Life Kentucky Trust will continue expanding education on organ donation, deepening community partnerships, honoring donors, and helping transplant patients and their families across the Commonwealth. To learn more about the nonprofit organization, visit www.donatelifeky.org.
About Donate Life Kentucky Trust
Donate Life Kentucky Trust envisions a world where no one dies waiting for a transplant. Our mission is to educate and encourage Kentuckians to be registered organ and tissue donors to save lives and holistically support those impacted by donation and transplant. The dollars contributed at Kentucky Transportation Cabinet driver’s license counters and other philanthropic partners, including Kentucky’s Circuit Clerks and Kosair for Kids, fund the statewide community outreach and critical family support programs. For more info, call 1-866-945-5433, email info@donatelifeky.org, or visit www.donatelifeky.org.
(Dennis Loy, Adair County Circuit Clerk)