Healthy habits and new technology makes 100-year-old Nebraska man, America’s oldest organ donor

OMAHA, Neb. -- When doctors got the call about a 100-year-old potential organ donor, their first reaction wasn’t what you might expect.

“The call came through and people said well you know, just letting you know about Dale, we know your not going to be interested since he’s 100-years-old,’” said Dr. Lee Morrow. “And we said, ‘Whoa, whoa, let’s wait a minute and talk about this.’”

Thanks to a lifetime of healthy habits and time spent tending the family garden, Nebraska native Dale Steele became the oldest organ donor on record. His son, Roger Steele, says the idea would have surprised his father.

“I think he would be surprised, like I was, because I’m sure he never thought that at his age he could be an organ donor,” Roger said. “But I know my father well, and I think he would be very happy.”

His son says, after serving in World War II Dale returned to Nebraska, spending his life caring for others. Roger says his father remained active well into his final years, helping make the transplant possible.

“Even as he approached 100 years old, he was active with gardening,” Roger said. “It was something he loved to do, and it kept him moving and in good physical shape.”

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lee Morrow, at Live on Nebraska says staying healthy is important. But, he says in the last year huge advancements have been made allowing for older organ transplants. 

“Technology has come out that allows organs to be placed on a pump, where they’re perfused with warm, oxygenated blood,” Morrow said. “It allows us to consider organs that historically we would have said no to.”

Morrow says the former age limit of 65 for organ donation is no longer relevant, calling Steele’s case a major breakthrough for transplant medicine.

“I think that the biggest misconception is literally this issue, right?,” he said. “That age precludes donation, and we have proven that has completely gone away.”