Southwest Transplant Alliance Engages Multicultural Communities to Save Lives Through Organ Donation

 

 

STA honors diverse Texans impacted by donation and shares the power of ”One YES” 

DALLAS – Aug. 9, 2021 – Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA), a leading organ procurement organization serving 89 counties in Texas, is shining a light on disparities in organ donation among multicultural communities and encouraging more people to consider registration.  

More than 10,000 Texans are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, with African American and Latino populations representing the largest need. More than two-thirds of the state’s transplant waitlist are people of color, but they are less likely to become donors themselves.  

“Research shows that African American and Latino populations experience a disproportionate need for organ transplants, including here in Texas. And yet, the gift of life transcends race, ethnicity and background,” said STA President and CEO Patti Niles. “STA is empowering our communities with facts about the donation process. When you say ‘yes’ to donation, you’re not just checking a box – you could save up to eight lives.” 

Several factors contribute to disparity in donation experienced by communities of color, including: 

  • Access to Healthcare – Texas ranks last in the country in access to affordable healthcare, disproportionately affecting African American and Latino communities 

  • Inequitable Health Issues – Historic and systemic inequalities put African American and Latino people at a higher risk for health issues, such as kidney disease and diabetes, that can lead to organ failure 

  • Lack of Trust – Only 37% of African Americans in STA’s service area strongly agree that their doctor treats them equally to other patients 

  • Prevalence of Myths – More than two-thirds of adults surveyed in STA’s service area have received misinformation about donation, with a higher rate among multicultural communities . 

August is National Multi-Ethnic Donor Awareness Month, a collaborative initiative of the National Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation Multicultural Action Group, to bring heightened awareness to donation and transplantation in multicultural communities – focusing primarily on African American, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander and Native American communities.  

Throughout the month, STA is honoring multicultural organ donors, recipients and people on the transplant waitlist by dispelling myths about organ donation and sharing the lifegiving impact of one person’s “yes” to donation. One person can save up to eight lives through organ donation and improve the lives of 75 others through tissue donation.  

Anyone can register as an organ donor, and there are several ways to record your decision:  

  • Online click here: register 

  • When you renew your driver’s license or state ID through Texas DPS  

  • Using the MedID tab of the Health App on your iPhone or iPad 

  • Through STA and Donate Life Texas representatives at special events 

  • By completing a paper form by mail 

Learn more about the donation process, disparities impacting communities of color and stories of Texans impacted by donation at organ.org 1yes.  

About Southwest Transplant Alliance 
Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA) is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas, that saves lives by fulfilling the gifts of organ and tissue donation. Founded in 1974, STA has facilitated more than 35,000 organs for recovery and enhanced the lives of tens of thousands of people through tissue recovery. STA is among the largest of 57 federally designated, nonprofit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States and is a member of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Established in 2018, the STA Foundation provides care for families, community education, and research in transplant science. STA serves communities in North Texas, Beaumont, Bryan/College Station, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Galveston, Midland/Odessa, Temple, Tyler and Wichita Falls. For more information, go to ORGAN.ORG

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