IOPO®: Indiana Organ Procurement Organization, Inc.

Minority Education

Educating about factors in donation that uniquely affect minority populations.

Image of Minority faces of college students

Minorities

Minorities are in desperate need of Minority organ and tissue donors.

Minorities make up 20% of the U.S. population and comprise 53% of individuals on the national organ transplant waiting list. They represent 26% of living and deceased organ donors.

Ethnic minorities are facing a public health crisis and are in desperate need of more organ and tissue donors.

Many of the conditions leading to the need for a transplant - such as diabetes and hypertension- occur with greater frequency among minority populations.

What prevents some minorities from becoming organ donors?:

  • Many African Americans do not have organ and tissue donation on their "radar"—it’s simply not at the top of their mind.
  • Most are not aware of the large number of minorities who are waiting for transplants.
  • There is a perception that minorities do not have equal access to organ transplants.
  • Some people in minority communities are afraid that they will not receive the best medical treatment in a life-threatening emergency if they were a known "organ donor." Often there is a mistrust of medical establishments and institutions.
  • Some are reluctant to sign any formal documents that commit them to this decision.