The Need for Lifesaving Organ Transplants Affects all Communities

Here in Colorado and Wyoming, there are nearly 2,500 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. All communities are in need of life-saving organ transplants. Of those waiting, 42 percent belong to multicultural communities. 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 so important that more people register as organ, eye and tissue donors, including people in multicultural communities. The more people who register their decision to be donors, the more lives can be saved and healed.

National Minority Donor Awareness Week (NMDAW) celebrated August 1-7, was created to increase awareness of the need for more organ, eye, and tissue donors, especially among multicultural communities. This special observance honors multicultural donors who have given the gift of life through donation and transplantation and encourages all communities to register as donors and talk about their decision with their friends and family.

You can help those waiting for a second chance at life by saying “yes” at the DMV, or anytime at Donate Life Colorado, Done Vida Colorado or Donate Life Wyoming. Just one donor can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and save or heal more than 75 lives through tissue donation. Once you have registered, talk to those closest to you about your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor.