Minority Donor Awareness Week Highlights the need for Organs
August 1, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michele Mehaffy, 566-3937
Minority Donor Awareness Week Highlights the need for Organs
Unyts plays host to events here in Western New York
Minorities are disproportionately afflicted and affected by hypertension, diabetes, alcohol and substance abuse, poor nutrition and lack of exercise.
During the week of August 1- 8, organizations across the country will host minority-focused outreach activities to bring donation messages to minority communities, honor donors, encourage donor registration, and promote healthful living and disease prevention to decrease the need for transplantation. In observance, Unyts will host a “lunch and learn” at Community Health Center, Buffalo General Hospital and ECMC.
More than half of the 114,000 plus people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant are minorities. Donor organs are matched for transplant according to several factors, including blood and tissue type, which can vary by ethnicity. People on the waiting list are more likely to receive transplants if more people from all backgrounds donate. As the waiting list continues to grow, the need for a greater diversity among organ donors is more critical than ever.
“I am the father of an organ donor. We all have the power to change lives. Give the gift of life.” Rev. Jeff Carter, Ephesus Ministries
Some facts people need to know about organ, eye, and tissue donation include:
- Doctors will do everything they can to save a person’s life, and the transplant team will be involved only when all efforts to save the individual’s life are exhausted.
- Factors such as blood and tissue type, severity of illness, time on waiting list, distance from donor, and body size are considered when matching donor organs to recipients.
Currently, more than 32,500 African Americans, 20,000 Hispanics/Latinos, 7,500 Asians and Pacific Islanders, and 1,057 Native Americans are on the waiting list for organs in the United States.
Become an Organ, Eye, Tissue & Community Blood Donor Today!
It Does Matter…
