Why more organ donors from diverse backgrounds are needed

Of the 106,000 people in the U.S. who are awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant, roughly 60% are minorities. Here’s why getting more people from diverse backgrounds to be organ donors is vital to help save lives:

1. Some racial and ethnic populations are more likely to need a transplant.

African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and Native Americans have an increased risk for kidney disease. African Americans are nearly four times more likely to have kidney failure, compared to white people, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Higher rates of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes in communities of color also can lead to organ failure.

2. The need for transplants far outweighs the number of willing donors. The number of people awaiting a lifesaving transplant far exceeds willing donors in the U.S. That is true for people of all backgrounds.

Every day, an estimated 17 people in the U.S. die while awaiting an organ transplant, according to organdonor.gov. While people of color make up most of the people awaiting an organ transplant in the U.S., only about 30% of donors come from communities of color.

3. More diversity among organ donors benefits everyone. While organs are not matched based on race and ethnicity, people will generally have a better chance of matching with someone from a similar racial or ethnic background. The reason is that compatible blood types and tissue markers used for making a match are more likely to be found among members of the same ethnic group, according to LifeSource. As a result, people of color may end up waiting longer for a transplant.

To register to be an organ donor, go to the Donate Life America website, www. donatelife.net.