According to the Donor Alliance, there are nearly 1,300 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in Colorado and Wyoming. About 50 percent of those on the waiting list are people of color.
August marks National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month. This is observed nationally to save and improve the quality of life of multiethnic communities by creating a positive culture for organ, eye and tissue donations.
While donating can save lives, the Donor Alliance says it’s important when you go to get your driver’s license, you’re always asked a question like this: “Would you like to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor?” It’s a question that can make all the difference in the world for others.
Every 10 minutes, someone is added to the national transplant waiting list, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Other data from the department also shows that on average, 20 people die each day waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. A single organ donor can save up to eight lives, according to the department, while one tissue donor can heal up to 75 lives, according to Donate Life America — a nonprofit focused on increasing the number of donated organs, eyes and tissue available.
Obviously, being an organ, eyes and tissue donor can make all the difference in the world, based off this data. But for Latinos and communities of color, choosing to donate can be particularly impactful.
Organ transplant candidates are not matched based on race or ethnicity, and people of different ethnicities often match one another, according to the Donor Alliance — a group that facilitates the process of organ and tissue donation for transplantation throughout Colorado and most of Wyoming. Typically, transplant matches made within ethnic groups can be more compatible and successful, and because of that, when people in all communities register as organ, eye and tissue donors, more people can live and be healed.
Deceased organ donation involves providing an organ, organs or a partial organ after you pass to be transplanted into one or more people. A living organ donation involves a person donating a kidney or part of the liver, lung, intestine or pancreas to another person in need of a transplant.
Many Latinos are sometimes reluctant to the idea of organ donation because there is an unknown fear of the actual process, or the process may contradict their religious beliefs. Education is key in the organ donor process, and it can satisfy any questions or concerns one may have to be an organ donor.
Truly, it’s easy to become a tissue, eyes and organ donor. When you apply for or renew your driver’s license or ID card, you’ll be asked if you’d like to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor. You can also register online at DonateLifeColorado.org.
It’s important to discuss donation with your loved ones before signing up to become one. Discussing your decision ensures they honor your wishes, making a lasting impact on others.
Visit DonorAlliance.org that can answer your many questions and concerns you may have regarding organ donation. Educate yourself.
