Minority Education
Educating about factors in donation that uniquely affect minority populations.
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.