Observing National Minority Donor Awareness Month in August
August is National Minority Donor Awareness Month, when organ procurement organizations (OPOs) across the United States raise awareness about the critical need for organ, eye and tissue donors in minority communities. This initiative was created in 1996 by the National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) and Dr. Clive Callender for the purpose of increasing minority donation rates nationally.
This observance began as National Minority Donor Awareness Week (August 1-7) and grew to become National Minority Donor Awareness Month. It is now led by the National Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation Multicultural Action Group (NMAG). During August, Infinite Legacy is committed to raising awareness about the health disparities and need for organ, eye and tissue donors in Black/African American, Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander and Native American communities.
Did You Know?
More than 100,000 people are on the national transplant waiting list, with 60% of those waiting representing minority groups.
The Importance of Increasing Minority Donation Rates: Raising Organ Donation Awareness
It is common for organs to be matched between individuals from different racial and ethnic groups; however, transplants can be more successful when organs are matched between individuals of the same racial or ethnic background. Raising organ donation awareness in minority communities is important to help end the wait for those in need of a lifesaving transplant. Through education and awareness, we can increase transplants and save more lives. are on the national transplant waiting list, with 60% of those waiting representing minority groups.
The Critical Need for Organ Donors in Minority Communities
Minority communities are more likely to be affected by conditions like hypertension, kidney disease, heart disease and diabetes, leading to higher rates of organ failure. On the national transplant waiting list, over 60% of those waiting include people from the Black/African American, Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander and Native American communities. According to Donate Life America, “The need for donation and transplant is more pronounced in minority communities where disproportionately higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease contribute to organ failure, especially kidney failure. Black or African Americans are more than 3 times as likely and Hispanics and Latinos are 1.3 times more likely to have kidney failure compared to White Americans.” This imbalance shows the importance of increasing education and organ donor registration in minority communities.
What You Need to Know About Organ Donation in Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC
Infinite Legacy is committed to raising awareness in our communities about organ, eye and tissue donation through educational resources and presentations, events such as block parties, local motor vehicle partnerships, public awareness campaigns, social media and more. In our region, there is a critical need for organ donors, with more than 4,000 candidates waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
How You Can Advocate for Organ Donation and Transplantation in Your Community
You can help advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation in your community by sharing the critical need for others to register to be organ donors, attending Infinite Legacy events, debunking myths and misconceptions about donation and transplantation and discussing end-of-life decisions with family and friends. Those who have been touched by organ donation encouraged to share their stories to help raise awareness and educate our communities.
Register as an Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor: End the Wait
You can help end the wait for transplant candidates. One person has the power to save eight lives through organ donation and heal more than 75 lives through tissue donation. Register as an organ, eye and tissue donor today.