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For they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Proverbs 4:22

African Americans only represent 14% of the population in the United States, but comprise 25% of those on the waiting list for Kidney transplants.  It only takes one donor to save over 50 lives.  Major barriers to contributions include a lack of trust in the medical community, lack of knowledge, and lack of trust in the waitlist.  Since 1991, there has been a 383% increase in African Americans who have registered on the U.S. Transplant waiting list.

August 1 has been designated as National Minority awareness Day to increase the need of donations from the African American communities.  African Americans are the best match for other African Americans.  According to the Donor Awareness Council, a person is added to the waiting list every 13 minutes and during a 24 hour period, approximately 18 people die waiting for a donor. 

The organs most needed in the African American community are kidneys due to the high incidence of high blood pressure and diabetes.  Most people spend years on dialysis while awaiting a kidney. 

•  Anyone can donate organs, if under 18 years of age, must have parents consent

• Organs which can be donated include:  heart, liver, kidney, heart-lung, pancreas and lung

• Tissues that can be donated include:  skin, bones, corneas, heart valves and connective tissue

• A donor’s family is not charged for organ donation

• There is no body deformity from donating organs

If one does not want to go on the organ donor list, preventive measures include:

• Avoidance of alcohol

• Avoidance of recreationally illegal drugs

• Avoidance of foods high in salt, cholesterol and saturated fats

• Exercise regularly 

Please sign up today to save a life.
References:
 National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) http://www.nationalmottep.org/faq.shtml     www.coloradodonorregistry.org      www.donatelife.nte/africanamerican/     www.norwalkct.org/NewPressReleases/donor.htm.