PHOENIX (Nov. 19, 2025) – Arizona’s first and only hospital-based donor care center recently has a milestone with its 100th organ donor since the center first opened last year at Banner — University Medical Center Phoenix in partnership with Donor Network of Arizona.
The donor care center is an intensive care unit specifically for organ donors who are transported from other hospitals in Arizona for specialized care leading up to organ donation, the ultimate gift of life. As the number of people in need for an organ or tissue transplant continues to increase, the 100th donor milestone underscores the impact the donor care center has had on the community and highlights the growing need for organ donors. In total, the first 100 donors helped to transplant 321 organs and saved the lives of 270 people.
“The donor care center is the result of our special partnership with Donor Network of Arizona, and we’re proud of the immense impact it has had in just a year,” said Char Ciudad, chief nursing officer at Banner — University Medical Center Phoenix. “We’re privileged to honor the lives of those who have graciously donated organs so that others can benefit and live a healthy life — even just one donor can make a difference for a handful of people.”
Equipped with dedicated ICU rooms, the center and its teams provide intentional care for those who have chosen to give the gift of life. The center also offers support to those who have lost loved ones and serves as a home to honor donors’ legacies and generosity. As Arizona's first facility of its kind, the donor care center demonstrates Banner Health's commitment to pioneering innovative care models that enhance outcomes and expand access to life-saving treatments. By streamlining the organ donation process and delivering specialized clinical excellence, Banner is creating lasting impact for patients across Arizona.
Arizonans can join the DonateLifeAZ Registry as an organ and tissue donor when applying for or renewing a driver’s license or state ID at an Arizona Department of Transportation MVD location or select authorized third-party office. They can also register online any time at DonateLifeAZ.org.
About Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix
Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix is a large teaching hospital that has provided medical care to Arizona and the Southwest since 1911. It is part of Banner – University Medicine, a premier academic medical network. The institution, which has trained thousands of doctors over decades as a teaching hospital, is the academic medical center for The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. The hospital, recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the nation’s best hospitals, specializes in heart care, cancer care, high-risk obstetrics, neurosciences, organ transplants, medical toxicology and emergency care, including a Level I trauma center. Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix is part of Banner Health, a nonprofit health care system with 33 hospitals in six states. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/universityphoenix.
About Donor Network of Arizona
Donor Network of Arizona (DNA) fulfills the lifesaving and life-healing mission of organ and tissue donation as the state’s federally designated organ procurement organization. Our work is made possible by the generosity of Arizona donors and their families. As also an eye and tissue recovering agency, DNA collaborates with health care and community partners to facilitate the gift of life. DNA is a vital link to transplantation and encourages Arizonans to sign up to be donors at DonateLifeAZ.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram: @DonateLifeAZ
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