Just 39% Of Americans Would Donate An Organ For A Loved One

NEW YORK — When it comes to the ultimate test of devotion, fewer than half of Americans would give a piece of themselves to save someone they care about. A revealing new survey has found that just 39% of Americans would be willing to donate an organ to family or friends—a striking discovery that sheds light on where people draw the boundary of personal sacrifice.

The study of 2,000 U.S. adults, conducted by Talker Research and commissioned Circle K, explored various dimensions of loyalty in both personal relationships and consumer behavior. While organ donation may be a step too far for many, Americans demonstrate commitment in other meaningful ways.

More than half (53%) would endure waiting in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles for someone they care about. Additionally, 62% would put their reputation on the line by acting as a reference for a loved one’s apartment or job application.

When looking at business partnerships, Americans place their faith primarily with romantic partners (35%) or best friends (27%).

Perhaps the most revealing statistic is how Americans would handle unexpected good fortune. An overwhelming 82% said they would share a windfall of $100,000 with family and friends—indicating that while many might hesitate to share their kidneys, they’re quite willing to share their cash.

Brand Loyalty Mirrors Personal Relationships

Consumer loyalty follows patterns similar to personal connections, according to the research findings.

Nearly three in five Americans (57%) have clear preferences for specific brands or services. These preferences span various categories, with shoes (52%), technology like phones and computers (51%), hair products (50%), and clothing (44%) topping the list.

Grocery stores command particularly strong loyalty at 71%, with restaurants and food services following at 59%. Gas stations (39%) and convenience stores (27%) also inspire consumer faithfulness.

These brand relationships are remarkably durable. The average American maintains loyalty to favorite brands for 13 years, with more than a third (35%) reporting brand relationships lasting two decades or more.

The connection runs so deep that nearly three-quarters of Americans (74%) claim they can distinguish between identical products made by different manufacturers.

“Loyalty is fundamental to our relationships with family, friends, businesses and brands. The more loyalty you give, the more you get—and it deserves to be recognized,” said Rick Rasor, Vice President of Loyalty at Circle K.

Rewards Programs and Consumer Behavior

Americans receive various perks from their brand commitment, including free shipping and returns (38%), buy-one-get-one-free deals (35%), daily or weekly discounts (33%), and free items when spending certain amounts (31%).

Reflecting their personal generosity, 58% of respondents said they would likely share their brand rewards with family and friends.

The research also examined Americans’ attitudes toward sweepstakes. Nearly two-thirds (63%) would participate in contests offering cash prizes. The minimum amount that would make entering a sweepstakes worthwhile was just over $31,600.

Notably, Americans don’t need massive jackpots to feel their lives have been transformed—the average respondent said winning just over $70,000 would completely change their lives.

“No matter where our loyalties lie, they help guide our daily lives, choices and the connections we have with each other,” said Rasor.

The Balance of Generosity and Self-Preservation

The contrast between the 39% willing to donate organs and the 82% willing to share financial windfalls reveals how Americans may draw different boundaries around different types of giving. Physical sacrifice appears to be a harder line for many than financial generosity.

For businesses, these patterns highlight the importance of building authentic customer connections. With Americans demonstrating brand preferences that last more than a decade on average, companies that successfully foster loyalty can benefit significantly over time.

As economic changes and new technologies reshape how consumers interact with brands, understanding these loyalty dynamics becomes increasingly valuable for companies working to maintain customer relationships in a competitive marketplace.

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How the survey was conducted: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 U.S. adults online between March 20-24, 2025. The survey was commissioned by Circle K and included participants from traditional online panels and programmatic sources. Quality control measures eliminated responses from speeders, bots, and duplicate participants. Results were calculated at the 95% confidence level and only included sample cells with at least 80 respondents. The survey was limited to internet users, which may affect how the results apply to the broader population.