Who we are
Lifesharing is the federally-designated organ procurement organization (OPO) serving San Diego and Imperial counties in Southern California. When a patient’s life cannot be saved, it’s our job to try and save their organs. We then match those donated organs to patients on the transplant waiting list. We also coordinate tissue donation at the end of life.
Our mission
Lifesharing is consistently ranked in the top-tier of OPOs nationwide. We are committed to getting patients off the transplant waiting list and providing a measure of comfort for the families of our organ and tissue donors.
Saving, healing and honoring lives through organ and tissue donation
A world where there is no waiting for a transplant and donating organs and tissues is universal
Excellence, integrity, innovation and putting people first
Our impact
Since 2020, we have seen a steady growth in the number of organs we’ve helped transplant.
A Message from our Executive Director
Lifesharing is proud to serve America’s Finest City. Home to many Naval and Marine Corps installations, there is a strong tradition of service that runs through the San Diego community – a tradition built on values such as duty, honor and an unwavering commitment to a greater cause.
We strive to uphold this proud legacy of service in our role as the region’s organ procurement organization (OPO).
Every day, we work with families who have just lost a loved one. My team and I have logged a lot of miles driving to local hospitals to meet these families face to face and talk about organ donation. These are never easy conversations to have. But I continue to be amazed by the generosity of this community.
When we ask families to consider helping others in the wake of their loved one’s death, the majority say “yes”. In the midst of their own personal tragedy and pain, these families think of others. I believe there is no greater gift you can give to another human being than the gift of life.
We are honored to serve this diverse community and carry out the final wishes of donors and their families. On behalf of all of us at Lifesharing, I want to express our deepest gratitude to the people of San Diego for helping us save lives.
Jeff Trageser
Executive Director, Lifesharing
Our leadership
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Job openings at Lifesharing
Lifesharing is a division of UC San Diego Health. To view all open positions, click on the button below to search jobs on the UC San Diego website. We recommend typing the word “Lifesharing” in the Keyword section to view our current job listings.
Ready to help?
Our nurses use their clinical skills to keep organs viable for transplant while they work to identify matching recipients on the transplant waiting list.
These outreach specialists build strong relationships with our hospital partners to make sure the organ donation process goes smoothly.
Our compassionate family advocates speak to families about organ and tissue donation. They also provide support to the families of deceased organ and tissue donors..
Specially trained technicians who coordinate the recovery of organs in the operating room and help ensure the safe transportation of organs to recipients.
Highly skilled technicians who recover tissue for transplantation – including skin, veins and bones.
“It feels good to pay it forward.”
Barbara VaughanLifesharing family services specialist and three-time organ transplant recipient