Some Reasons Why Many Minorities Say “NO” to Organ Donation

• 1. Lack of awareness (Not being knowledgeable about the facts surrounding organ donation.)
• 2. Religious myths and misconceptions (Believing that it is “a sin” to donate your organs or you won’t get into heaven.)
• 3. Lack of trust for health care providers (Racial events that have caused distrust amongst minorities and their health care providers.)
• 4. Believing that having an organ donor card is a death wish (Believing that a signed donor card will get you less than best health care.)
• 5. Racism (Wanting to know if only “my people” will get my organs.)

Most Common Questions

• Aren't tissue and organ transplants still really experimental? Medication and medical advances have resulted in transplant surgeries today that are very successful, in fact as high as 95 percent. The transplantation of vital organs has become routine surgical operations and is no longer experimental.
• How are organs and tissues for transplantation obtained? Most organs and tissues are donated by individuals at the time of their death. Others are donated from living donors, generally a blood relative of the recipient. The following questions and answers deal with organ and tissues donation at the time of a loved one's death.
• How are donated organs distributed? Generally, donated organs are matched with individuals on an organ waiting list. Matching is based on a variety of factors including blood and tissue types, medical need, length of time on the waiting list, and weight of donor and recipient.
• Do I have to pay to be an organ donor? Donors never pay for any expenses associated with organ and tissue donation.
• Does an organ donation cause any disfigurement? Organ and tissue removal is a sterile surgical procedure wherein the body remains totally intact. Open casket funerals are still possible if so desired.
• What if organ donation is against my religion? Religious leaders of most denominations the world over favor organ and tissue donation and consider it the highest humanitarian act. If you are concerned, check with your religious leader.
• Which organs and tissues can be donated?Kidneys, lungs, corneas, livers, pancreases, heart valves, bones, tendons, skin, and bone marrow can all be transplanted. If desired, a donor can specify on a donor card which organs and tissues they want to donate.

Facts About Organ Donation

More than 106,000 people await a life saving organ transplant in the United States, nearly half are of minority descent. Each day, thousands of individuals from the minority community face a frightening dilemma. More than half of the 87,000 people on the national transplant waiting list represent minorities including 34.9% African Americans, 15.5% Hispanic, 2.5% Asian and 2.5% other ethnic backgrounds.

Medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are more common among minorities and are more likely to develop organ failure. (Source: www.unos.org) The allocation (matching) of kidneys and the success of their transplantation are most dependent on a good genetic match.

Successful matches are most often found within the same racial or ethnic groups. People of Hispanic, African, Asian and Native American descent have a greater need for kidney transplants due to higher rates of diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.