Why Gen Z Is the Most Pro-Donation Generation in History

Here's a number that should get your attention: according to Donate Life America, over 90% of adults under 30 say they support organ donation. That's not a typo. Gen Z isn't just passively in favor of donation — they're actively registering, advocating, and organizing at rates that dwarf previous generations. As someone who founded YCOD precisely because I believe in the power of youth advocacy, this trend feels like vindication.

The Numbers Tell the Story

HRSA data shows that organ donor registration rates among 18-to-24-year-olds have climbed steadily over the past decade. In states with online registration tied to driver's license applications, the uptake among young adults has been particularly strong. But what sets Gen Z apart isn't just willingness to check a box — it's the willingness to talk about it.

Social Media as a Force Multiplier

Gen Z is the first generation to grow up entirely on social media. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) have become powerful tools for organ donation advocacy. Viral videos featuring transplant recipients sharing their stories have reached millions. Hashtags like #DonateLife and #OrganDonation regularly trend during awareness campaigns. When a story resonates, Gen Z doesn't just share it — they act on it.

• TikTok: Short-form videos of transplant journeys and donor family tributes routinely exceed millions of views
• Instagram: Infographics about the waitlist crisis are among the most-shared health content among young users
• Campus drives: Student-led registration events at colleges have become a staple of Donate Life Month each April

Why This Generation Is Different

Several factors converge to make Gen Z uniquely positioned for this cause. First, they are the most diverse generation in American history, and many come from communities disproportionately affected by the organ shortage — particularly Black and Hispanic communities, which face longer wait times for kidneys. Second, Gen Z has grown up in an era of cause-driven culture, where activism is a core part of identity. Third, they are pragmatic: they see a problem with a clear solution and wonder why it hasn't been fixed yet.

From Awareness to Action

At YCOD, we've seen this firsthand. Our chapters across New York are led by high school and college students who don't just spread awareness — they lobby legislators, testify at committee hearings, and organize their communities. When we advocate for Bill A07954, it's young voices that make the strongest impression in Albany. Legislators have told us directly that seeing teenagers passionate about policy reform makes the issue impossible to ignore.

The Challenge Ahead

Support doesn't automatically translate to registration. Many young people who say they support donation haven't actually signed up. Barriers include confusion about the registration process, misconceptions about medical eligibility, and simple procrastination. That's why YCOD focuses on making registration as easy as possible — meeting young people where they are, whether that's on their phones, at their schools, or on their social feeds.

Gen Z didn't create the organ shortage. But we might be the generation that ends it. If you're reading this and you haven't registered yet — what are you waiting for?