Understanding Donations
African Americans & Donation
You may be surprised to learn that African Americans have great need for organ and tissue transplantation, yet are often reluctant to become donors.
Did you know . . .
- If more African Americans consented to organ donation, more lives would be saved.
- The need for organs for African Americans is so great because of the high rate of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease -- all of which can lead to organ failure.
- Although many African Americans are aware that they have high blood pressure, a significant number are not aware that they may also have related kidney failure. Recent studies show that at least 43% of African Americans on dialysis did not know about their kidney failure until one week before dialysis was initiated.
- On an average day, 14 to 16 people will die waiting for an organ to become available.
- A name is added to the organ transplant waiting list every 15 minutes. \
- Over 50% of the people in Western New York waiting for an organ transplant are African American.
- Kidney failure occurs more frequently among members of the African American community than in any other race.
- Nearly 70% of the organs transplanted into African Americans come from Caucasian donors.
- African Americans who receive an organ transplant from an African American donor have less chance of organ rejection.
Important Facts
- An organ and tissue donor is anyone who is willing to donate organs and tissues to help save or enhance someone's life.
- Anyone from birth to mid 80's can be a donor.
- Organs that can be donated include the kidneys, liver, lung, heart, pancreas, and intestines. Tissues that can be donated include corneas, bone, veins, heart valves, tendons and skin.
- The donor and donor family are treated with the utmost respect throughout the entire donation process.