Welcome Session of the 22nd Edition of the Master in Applied Research in Donation and Transplantation
Today we officially welcomed the students of the 22nd edition of the Master in Applied Research in Donation and Transplantation, a 100% online program with weekly Live Sessions that combine flexibility, interaction, and collaborative learning.
This edition brings together 20 students from 14 different countries, reflecting the truly international and multidisciplinary spirit of the program. Most participants are physicians from various specialties, joined by nurses and professionals in biomedicine enriching the training with their diverse perspectives.
The program is led by Dr. Ricard Valero, together with Dr. Chloë Ballesté, Carmen Blanco, and Maite Pujol, a dedicated team that will guide participants throughout their academic and professional journey.
The welcome session marked the beginning of a transformative path that goes beyond academic knowledge: to prepare leaders capable of advancing organ donation and transplantation in their countries and contributing to a positive global impact.
From DTI Foundation, we warmly welcome all participants and wish them a year full of learning, collaboration, and success.
Success in Barcelona: Phase 3 Graduation of the MODHS-MOT Case Managers Development Program
From September 1 to 5, Barcelona proudly hosted Phase 3 – Preceptorship & Graduation of the MODHS-MOT Case Managers Development Program, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This graduation is much more than an academic achievement: it represents a new generation of professionals committed to strengthening the organ donation and transplantation system in Saudi Arabia.
At Donation and Transplantation Institute – DTI Foundation, we firmly believe that training saves lives. Sharing knowledge, building capacities, and fostering international cooperation are key steps toward our mission: ensuring that every patient in need has a second chance.
We thank all participants and partners for making this milestone possible. The journey continues, along with our commitment to the health and lives of patients around the world.
IRODaT publishes preliminary 2024 figures: evidence that drives transplantation forward
Barcelona, 7 August 2025 — The International Registry in Organ Donation and Transplantation (IRODaT), coordinated and maintained by DTI Foundation, has released its first snapshot of global activity for 2024. This early report compiles validated submissions from 70 countries and offers an immediate view of current trends in both deceased and living donation, as well as in kidney, liver, heart, lung and pancreas transplantation.
The preliminary data confirm Spain’s long-standing leadership, with 53.93 deceased donors per million population. In the field of living donation, Turkey and Saudi Arabia head the list, each surpassing 50 donors per million. Beyond these headline figures, the dataset allows health authorities, transplant programmes and researchers to benchmark their own performance, identify gaps and design evidence-based strategies that ultimately translate into more lives saved.
Publishing an early analysis is crucial. Governments planning resource allocation for the coming year cannot afford to wait for the final, fully audited dataset that will appear in early 2026. Clinicians, too, rely on these trends to adjust donor-detection workflows, refine allocation protocols and evaluate training needs. In short, the information contained in IRODaT does far more than inform— it guides life-saving decisions every day.
The full preliminary report, together with interactive graphs and country dashboards, is freely available here:
International Registry in Organ Donation and Transplantation
DTI Foundation manages IRODaT without charging users or governments. If you value transparent, high-quality data that improve access to transplantation worldwide, please consider supporting our work: dtifoundation.com/donate.
DTI’s Leadership at ESOT Congress 2025 & Glimpse of ESOT 2027
DTI Foundation at ESOT 2025 — forging a sustainable path forward
London, June 29 – July 2, 2025: DTI Foundation proudly joined ESOT Congress 2025, centered on the theme “Nurturing a sustainable transplantation journey”.
Our team—represented by Dr. Chloë Ballesté Delpierre (Medical Director), Dr. Mauricio Galvão (International Cooperation Advisor), and Joaquim Albiol (Head of R&D)—was actively engaged in the global dialogue to design more equitable, ethical, and sustainable transplant systems globally.
A new chapter: Dr. Chloë Ballesté Delpierre as Co‑Chair of ESOT Congress 2027
We are honored to announce that Dr. Chloë Ballesté Delpierre will serve as Co‑Chair of ESOT Congress 2027, to be held in Prague from September 26–29, 2027, alongside Umberto Cillo.
The congress theme, “Mens et Machina: Human‑centred transplantation in an AI world”, will explore the crossroads between human expertise and technological innovation.
In her new role, Dr. Ballesté will significantly influence the scientific program and contribute to strengthening DTI’s presence in future global transplantation initiatives.
🌐 Transplants Without Borders: Dr. Chloë Ballesté leads the international conversation on NefroLateShow
When medical knowledge is shared, it saves lives. When it crosses borders, it transforms entire systems. On Thursday, June 5th, Dr. Chloë Ballesté Delpierre, Medical Director of DTI Foundation, was the featured guest on the program NefroLateShow, in an episode titled “Transplants Without Borders.”
A human puzzle against inequality
Aired at 9:30 PM CET, the episode featured Dr. Ballesté’s insights on leading international cooperation projects that, in her words, “bring real-life opportunities to countries around the world.”
Her central message: innovation must not remain within the walls of a single hospital. “Innovation and collaboration are the foundation of a transplant system that is accessible to everyone. Together, we turn the act of donating into a tangible form of hope,” she stated, highlighting the essential role of partnerships between professionals, administrations, and NGOs in building quality and equity in transplant systems.
Stories that humanize cooperation
The episode also featured the touching account of a cross-kidney transplant, narrated by the donor and recipient themselves—a powerful example of the emotional depth and human connection inherent in such acts.
DTI Foundation: global pulse of cooperation
Dr. Ballesté’s participation underscores DTI Foundation’s global footprint in the health sector. The foundation’s work is structured around three core pillars:
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Transformational training: over 20,000 professionals trained in 113 countries during more than 30 years through TPM programs, enhancing donor detection and improving transplant systems.
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Advanced consulting: supporting hospitals in implementing ethical and efficient protocols.
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Cutting-edge research: leading studies on organ preservation and equitable allocation systems, with 12 publications in 2024 and over 5 international seminars.
Each initiative strengthens networks that save more lives.
A new kind of leadership
Dr. Ballesté’s presence on a medical outreach program exemplifies the humanistic leadership that defines DTI Foundation. Medicine here goes beyond the operating room—it becomes a tool for global transformation. Her words are a reminder that, when done right, cooperation generates lasting global impact.
National Organ Donor Day: inspiring hope and solidarity with DTI Foundation
Barcelona, June 5, 2025 – Under the slogan “To donate is to give life”, Spain marked National Organ Donor Day with a surge of heartfelt and committed initiatives. In Barcelona, the Donor Walk became a living testament of gratitude: hundreds of participants, from transplant recipients to donor families, walked together along iconic avenues, turning each step into a tribute to those who provided a second chance at life.
A day of community and gratitude
The route, starting at the Ciutadella tunnel and ending at the waterfront, blended reflective silences with bursts of applause and embraces. At key stops, transplanted patients shared their stories alongside loved ones, while NGO volunteers reminded attendees of the donor’s powerful gift. At the finish, a human chain formed in front of City Hall, sealing a symbolic pact: every heartbeat can become life for another.
Amid the crowd, Dr. David Paredes, transplant coordinator at Hospital Clínic and consultant for DTI Foundation, walked side by side with the community. His conviction resonates:
“Innovation and collaboration are the foundation of an accessible transplant system for all. Together, we turn the act of donating into tangible hope.”
DTI Foundation: global impact and lasting legacy
DTI Foundation shares the vision of a world where donation is a natural act. Our work, operating in 113 countries for over 30 years, focuses on three pillars:
- Transformative training: Transplant Procurement Management (TPM) programs have trained more than 20,000 participants, enhancing donor identification and transplant network quality.
- Advanced consultancy: we partner with hospitals to implement ethical and agile protocols. Thanks to these collaborations, average donor management time has decreased by 30%.
- Cutting-edge research: we lead studies on organ preservation and fair allocation systems, with 12 publications in 2024 and over 5 international seminars.
Every DTI Foundation initiative amplifies impact: it’s a promise of more lives saved and families reunited.
You can give life too
This National Organ Donor Day reminds us that every conversation, every signature in the registry, counts. Learn more, talk to your loved ones, and join the donor community. Because giving life is the bravest, most generous act.
Dr. Wade Stedman visits DTI Foundation as part of Churchill Fellowship
DTI Foundation recently welcomed Dr. Wade Stedman, an intensive care specialist from Sydney, Australia, who is currently undertaking a Churchill Fellowship to explore how different countries manage organ donation after voluntary assisted dying.
During his visit to Barcelona, Dr. Stedman met with Dr. Gabriel Moreno at Hospital de Bellvitge, and held meetings with Dr. Jaume Tort and Dr. Aurora Navarro at OCATT. He concluded his visit at DTI Foundation, exchanging insights with Chloë Ballesté, Mauricio Galvão, and Maria Barros, project manager at DTI.
Prior to visiting Catalonia, Dr. Stedman had conducted field visits in Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Madrid, learning from different institutional approaches and ethical frameworks around this complex area of clinical practice.
At DTI Foundation, we are proud to support international knowledge exchange and actively contribute to initiatives that strengthen organ donation and transplantation systems worldwide.
🔗 Read more about Dr. Stedman’s Churchill Fellowship
Dr. Martí Manyalich, President of DTI Foundation, Appointed Councilor-at-Large for Europe of The Transplantation Society (TTS)
We are pleased to announce that Martí Manyalich, President of DTI Foundation, has been appointed Councilor-at-Large for Europe for The Transplantation Society (TTS), the leading international organization in the field of organ donation and transplantation.
This appointment highlights Martí Manyalich’s leadership and commitment to improving global organ donation and transplantation systems. With his extensive background in both science and international project management, he will play a key role in advancing new initiatives within TTS.
At DTI Foundation, we reaffirm our commitment to the global mission of saving lives through organ donation and transplantation, and we are confident that Martí Manyalich’s new role at TTS will significantly contribute to advancing these objectives.
📌 Read more about this news in the TTS newsletter here.
DTI Foundation strengthens commitment to Organ Donation and Transplantation in Sri Lanka
In alignment with National Organ Donation Day, DTI Foundation has reinforced its dedication to advancing organ donation and transplantation efforts in Sri Lanka, marking four years of collaborative initiatives aimed at enhancing the country's transplant system.
A pivotal element of this collaboration was the participation of Dr. Chloë Ballesté, Medical Director of DTI Foundation, in a special interview on the program "At HydePark with Indeewari Amuwatte," broadcasted on Ada Derana. Joined by Dr. Niroshan Seneviratne, a urological and transplant surgeon at Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, Dr. Ballesté discussed the global significance of organ donation and its positive impact. This interview, aired on February 22 with a rebroadcast on February 23, served as a crucial platform to raise public awareness about the importance of improving transplant systems.
Furthermore, this week, a team of experts from DTI Foundation, including Dr. Chloë Ballesté and Dr. Brian Álvarez, along with Dr. Pedro Ventura from Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, visited Sri Lanka to continue efforts in strengthening the organ donation and transplantation framework. With support from the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and The Transplantation Society (TTS), the team conducted training sessions and engaged with local healthcare professionals to enhance process efficiency and expand access to transplants in the region.
A significant milestone of this visit was DTI Foundation's involvement in an institutional event with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, emphasizing the political and healthcare commitment to developing a more robust and sustainable organ donation system.
Each initiative, partnership, and training session brings us closer to a future where more individuals have access to life-saving transplants. DTI Foundation remains steadfast in the belief that education, cooperation, and public awareness are essential to saving lives through organ donation.
Training Case Managers for Organ and Tissue Transplants: An International Health Innovation Project
As part of the MODHS-MOT Case Managers Development Program, DTI Foundation has launched an international initiative aimed at transforming the military hospitals of the Saudi Ministry of Defense into centers of excellence for organ and tissue transplants.
This one-year training program began in September 2024 and will run until September 2025. The main focus is to train healthcare professionals (such as nurses and radiology technicians), while also involving non-healthcare professionals, ensuring an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to the care of transplant patients.
Currently, the program is in its second phase, which includes specialized sessions on immunological aspects, psychosocial care, patient education, and organ-specific care. These modules are designed to provide participants with in-depth knowledge of the various aspects of the transplant process, from patient evaluation to postoperative follow-up.
This program is the result of a strategic collaboration between DTI Foundation, the Saudi Ministry of Defense, and Eight Eye of Training, and is aimed at significantly improving the quality of organ transplant care, both in Saudi Arabia and internationally.
The training of Case Managers in this field is essential to improve the coordination and follow-up of transplant patients, contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of the transplant system. As we advance in this project, our goal remains the same: to continue working to improve organ donation and transplantation globally.
With initiatives like this, DTI Foundation reaffirms its commitment to healthcare education, knowledge exchange, and the continuous improvement of transplant systems worldwide.