ITASCA, Ill. (WAND) — About 60% of the more than 100,000 adults and children waiting for life-saving organ transplants in the United States are people of color according to Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network.
The nonprofit says Black and Latino patients are disproportionately represented on the transplant waiting list because they are at higher risk of suffering from multiple health conditions like chronic kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions that can lead to organ failure and the need for an organ transplant.
While donated organs are not matched with transplant recipients according to race or ethnicity, compatible blood types and tissue markers – critical qualities for donor and recipient matching – are more likely to be found among members of the same ethnicity. The chance for long-term survival of transplant recipients may also be greater if the donor and recipient share a similar genetic background.
“Building trust, sharing information and providing resources are critical to serving minority communities and empowering people to make informed healthcare decisions,” said Harry Wilkins, MD, Gift of Hope President/CEO. “We thank our hospitals, community partners and organ and tissue donation advocates for supporting us in our mission to save and enhance the lives of as many people as possible through organ and tissue donation. We extend love, respect and gratitude to all organ and tissue donors and their families who say yes to donation.”
A greater variety of registered donors can increase access to transplants for those waiting for a second chance at life. One person can save up to eight lives as an organ donor, heal more than 25 lives as a tissue donor and restore sight in up to two people.
Visit giftofhope.org to learn more and register.
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