August 1 -- National Minority Donor Awareness Day

This national campaign focuses on obstacles related to minorities and donation, promotes healthy living and disease prevention to decrease the need for transplantation, and reaches out to all ethnic groups. 

According to the Donate Life America, the shortage in organ donation for minorities is particularly significant.  Some diseases of the kidney, heart, lung, pancreas and liver are found more frequently in racial and ethnic minority populations than in the general population.  Some of these diseases are best treated through transplantation; others can only be treated through transplantation.  For example, while African Americans represent approximately 12% of the U.S. population, they also represent 35% of all patients awaiting kidney transplants.  In Wisconsin, 33% of individuals awaiting transplants are racial or ethnic minorities.

Transplantation success rates increase when organs are matched between members of the same ethnic and racial group.  Any patient is less likely to reject a kidney if it is donated by an individual who is genetically similar.  Generally, people are genetically more similar to people of their own ethnicity or race than to people of other races. Therefore, a lack of organs donated by minorities can contribute to death and longer waiting periods for transplants for minorities.

Decide to be a donor and donate life. In fact, by becoming an organ and tissue donor, you can help save or enhance the lives of more than 50 people. It's an opportunity for you to share your life with others.

Observances for Minority Donor Awareness Day have included prayer breakfasts, health walks, and donor drives. Sponsored by the National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program. (exit DHFS)