Race and Organ Donation

Let’s talk about organ donation in multicultural communities.

Donated organs are matched with people on the national transplant waiting list based on blood type, body size, how sick they are, donor distance, tissue type and time on the waiting list. Patients frequently and successfully receive transplants from donors of different races and ethnicities.

But according to Donate Life America, increased diversity in the organ donor population can lead to increased access to transplantation for all, and the chance of longer-term survival may be improved if the organ donor and recipient are closely matched in terms of their shared genetic background. This is because compatible blood types and tissue markers — important factors for donor and recipient matching — are more likely to be found among members of the same race or ethnicity.

60% Racial Minorities

Nearly 60% of patients on the national transplant waiting list are from multicultural communities but only make up 30% of organ donors.

THE NEED.

There are more than 100,000 people across the U.S. waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.

Each person has the power to save eight lives and heal dozens more as an organ, eye and tissue donor.

Learn more about donation

4X More Likely

Of the more than 28,000 Black patients on the national waiting list, more than 90% are waiting for a kidney transplant. Black Americans are nearly four times more likely to develop end-stage kidney disease than Caucasians.

Seattle Times Opinion

Communities of color need facts on organ donation, transplants

It’s no secret that communities of color have struggled with the U.S. health care system based on years of discrimination, unethical care, poor access and policies that disadvantage them. These concerns also extend to the organ donation and transplantation system, where nonwhite communities are underrepresented both as organ donors and transplant recipients.

2X More Likely

Of the nearly 24,000 Hispanic/Latine patients on the national waiting list, nearly 90% are waiting for a kidney transplant. Hispanics/Latines are more than twice as likely to develop end-stage kidney disease than Caucasians.

USA TODAY

Transplant patient shares gratitude for the organ donor who saved his life

Al Bass lived with liver disease for more than a decade. Before his diagnosis, Bass led a vibrant and active life as an athlete and farm worker. He also taught electronics and math at a local technical school. But life took an unexpected turn when he learned that his liver was failing.

Read story

9k+ Waiting

Today, 9,259 patients who identify as Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Native Hawaiian, are waiting for an organ transplant.

Organ donation saves lives.

Organ donors are heroes! Watch the video below to learn more about the need for organ donation in multicultural communities.