LOPA - Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency

06/18/2026

Our team is settling into Denver and embracing what makes the Transplant Games of America so special. It's the stories, the connections, and the shared passion for honoring donor heroes and celebrating the gift of life.

A special shoutout to donor mom Maggie Fanara for creating the beautiful banner featured in many of these photos.

This is just the beginning. Stay tuned as we share more moments from Team Louisiana - Transplant Games of America experience.
Want to learn more about Team Louisiana and Donate Life Louisiana?

Team Louisiana is a group of transplant recipients, donors, and families supporting and promoting organ, eye, and tissue donation through the Transplant Games.

Learn more about Team Louisiana and Donate Life Louisiana here: https://www.donatelifela.org/teamla

06/17/2026

Members of Team Louisiana - Transplant Games of America have officially started arriving in Denver for the 2026 Transplant Games of America!

Join us in wishing them good luck in the comments as they prepare for an unforgettable week!


What to learn more about Team LA and Donate Life Louisiana ?

Team Louisiana is a group of transplant recipients, donors & families supporting and promoting organ, eye & tissue donation through the Transplant Games.

Learn more about Team LA and Donate Life Louisiana here: https://www.donatelifela.org/teamla

06/16/2026

At LOPA, the connection to our mission is deeply personal for many of our employees. For Jaycie Chance, Instructional Design Specialist, that connection is their cousin, Crissi.

A double lung transplant gave Crissi four more years filled with memories, milestones, and moments their family will always cherish. Through their cousin's journey, Jaycie witnessed firsthand the impact of organ donation and the gift of more time.

Jaycie's story is a reminder that the impact of donation reaches far beyond a single transplant. It creates advocates, shapes futures, and even inspires career decisions.

06/12/2026

"Team LA represents the strength, resilience, and gratitude of the donation and transplant community, each athlete carries a story of hope and healing that began with the generosity of a donor and their family. Their participation brings to light the lifesaving importance and impact of donation." said Brett Gordon, LOPA President & CEO.

We're proud to sponsor Team Louisiana - Transplant Games of America, as they prepare for this year's games, which celebrate the life saving gift of organ, tissue and eye donation. Read more at

Transplant recipients from across Louisiana will travel to Denver, Colorado, June 18-24, 2026, to compete in the 2026 Transplant Games of America, a national event that celebrates the life saving gift of organ, eye and tissue donation.

06/11/2026

We're proud to partner with CityPark Players for their upcoming production of "The Tin Woman," a moving play that explores loss, healing, and the connections made possible through donation.

Purchase tickets for the show running June 18th – 28th at https://cpptheatre.com/tickets/

06/09/2026

The impact of donation doesn't end with one person. It creates a ripple effect that reaches families, communities, and lives across the country.

In May, 57 families said yes to organ donation, leading to 119 organs transplanted. Another 156 families said yes to tissue donation, potentially impacting more than 6,800 recipients.

Together, those decisions helped make May a historic month, including the highest number of families saying yes to tissue donation in LOPA's history.

06/07/2026

This week, we joined EMS professionals from across Louisiana in Shreveport for the 2026 Louisiana EMS Education Conference & Expo. We were grateful for the opportunity to connect with attendees, share information about donation, and engage in meaningful conversations about .

Yesterday, LOPA Public Engagement Specialist Shai Williams and donor mom Kim Neal presented a breakout session titled “From First on the Scene to Second Chance: The First Responder’s Role in Organ and Tissue Donation,” highlighting the vital role first responders play in the donation process and the lasting impact their work has on donor families and recipients.

06/06/2026

Every day, EMS professionals answer the call to save lives. Their impact extends far beyond the scene.

In 2025, EMS teams across Louisiana played a vital role in helping 271 organ donors give the gift of life, resulting in 852 organ transplants and second chances for patients across the country.

We are grateful for our EMS partners and the role they play in .

06/05/2026

Episode 264 of The Gifted Life Podcast is now available!

Episode 264 of is now available!

On this episode, author Erin Mitchell Crawford shares her journey through loss following the death of her nine-year-old son, Hayes. Erin discusses her book, Held: 30 Days of Prayer Through Grief, which originated from her own raw prayers and reflections during her darkest moments. The conversation explores how faith provides a foundation when navigating heartbreak and emphasizes that grief, while personal, does not have to be solitary. In our Mental Health Moment, our hosts share how they personally interrupt a feeling of being stuck to break through moments of mental paralysis and return with a refreshed perspective. And then, honor Hayes Crawford as our Donor Hero, celebrating his life and legacy.

06/04/2026

We're proud to sponsor Team Louisiana - Transplant Games of America as they prepare to compete in the Transplant Games of America later this month.

Watch as heart recipient Jamie and Micha, Senior Liver Transplant & Living Donor Coordinator at Ochsner, share what the games mean to the donation and transplantation community.

https://www.fox8live.com/video/2026/06/04/lopa-transplant-games-america-team-louisiana/