National Minority Donor Awareness Week

Observed annually, National Minority Donor Awareness Week (August 1 – 7) was created to increase awareness of the need for more organ, eye, and tissue donors, especially among minorities. This special observance honors minorities who have been donors, and encourages others to register as donors as organ, eye and tissue donors. In addition, this observance also encourages the public to take better care of their health in order to reduce the number of people needing a transplant.

In our community, there are more than 2,500 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Of those waiting, 42% belong to multicultural communities with 58% of them being Hispanics, 25% of them being African Americans and 9% of them being Asians.

Although organ transplant candidates are not matched based on race/ethnicity, transplant matches made within ethnic groups can be more compatible. That is why it is so important for people in minority communities to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and share their decision with their families.

Event at Museum of Nature & Science

This August, we partnered with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science to celebrate this observance by providing interactive, educational activities at the SCFD Community Free Day on August 6. Through this initiative, we were able to reach more than 10,000 museum guests and educate them on the importance of registering as organ, eye and tissue donors.

You can help those waiting for a second chance at life by saying “yes” at the driver license office or Driver Services, or anytime at Donate Life Colorado.