Minorities Account for 51 Percent of Organ Transplant List

According to a recent press release, in observance of National Minority Donor Awareness Day, Donate Life America is calling attention to a shocking fact. Nearly 51 percent, or 49,000 people, on the United States transplant waiting list consists of minorities. Still, there are nearly 100,000 people of all ages, races, religions, and status who are in need of life saving organ transplants which may or may not come in time to save them.

Even more people are in need to tissue transplants to help with their health, sight, and even mobility. Donate Life America is encouraging people to visit www.donatelife.net and learn how to become registered donors for their state.

The top race that needs the most transplants are African Americans, then Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and finally people of multiracial descent. African Americans make up 27 percent of the organ waiting list and around 35 percent of those who are waiting for kidneys.

Even though only 20 percent of the American population and 23 percent of donors are minorities, they do in fact make up 51 percent of those waiting for organ transplants. Research has concluded that the percentage is due to the fact that many minorities are under conditions that lead to the need for a transplant. Conditions include hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and more. Often minorities do not receive decent medical care or checkups.

National Minority Donor Awareness Day is observed by Donate Life America every August 1st. Donate Life America hopes that it will increase awareness among minorities and possibly minority donors.

Donate Life America has kicked off several ads and campaigns focused at minority communities. The ads features true stories of African American and Hispanic organ transplant recipients.