LifeCenter Recognizes National Minority Donor Awareness Week

August 1-7 is National Minority Donor Awareness Week, a nationwide observance to honor the heroic generosity of minority donors. Unfortunately, many of the health conditions necessitating transplant are more common among diverse communities.

Currently, there is a significant disparity between minority donors and minority transplant candidates. People of color make up 57% of the national transplant waiting list, but only 30% of living and deceased organ donors. While people of all backgrounds can enhance and save lives through organ, cornea and tissue donation, some of the factors used to match donors to recipients can vary by ethnicity. The chances of successful transplantation are much greater when the donor and recipient are ethnically alike.  Read more about how the donation matching process works on our Understanding Donation page.

This is a time to encourage people of all backgrounds to register their decision to give the gift of life through organ, cornea and tissue donation. Throughout the week we will be highlighting featured stories of minority donors and recipients from our region! Click on the photos below to read the inspirational stories of some of our local community advocates.