Asian American

Asian Americans, the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, make up 6% of the nation’s population and 16% of California’s. Yet, on the national transplant waiting list, Asian Americans account for 9% of waiting patients and 20% of those waiting in California.

Despite the abundance of Asian Americans working in healthcare in the U.S., they have the lowest organ donation registration rate. Sadly, mistrust and cultural taboos create barriers for Asian Americans from becoming donors.

Diversity Makes a Difference
People of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds can donate their organs and tissues. Although organs are not matched according to race or ethnicity, recipients and donors of the same ethnicity are more likely to match. Even more importantly, studies show that transplants may be more successful when organs are matched between members of the same ethnic and racial group.

The need for Asian American organ, eye and tissue donors is critical. Please register today.

Hispanic/Latino/x

Hispanic or Latino people make up nearly 19% of the nation’s population and over 40% of California’s. Yet, on the national transplant waiting list, Latinos account for over 20% waiting patients and over 40% of those waiting in California.

Latinos tend to suffer from diabetes, heart disease and obesity at disproportionately high rates, putting them at risk for organ failure. Several factors including language barriers, mistrust, lack of awareness, concern for immigration status, and limited access to care create barriers for Latinos becoming organ donors.

Diversity Makes a Difference
People of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds can donate their organs and tissues. Although organs are not matched according to race or ethnicity, recipients and donors of the same ethnicity are more likely to match. Even more importantly, studies show that transplants may be more successful when organs are matched between members of the same ethnic and racial group.

The need for Hispanic/Latino organ, eye and tissue donors is urgent. Please register today.

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African American

Black/African Americans make up nearly 17% of the nation’s population and 6% of California’s. Yet Black patients account for over 28% waiting on the national transplant waiting list and nearly 10% in California.

Some types of organ failure occur more often in communities of color. Black and African Americans are three times more likely to have kidney failure compared to White Americans. In 2020, there were more than 28,000 African Americans on the kidney transplant waiting list, but only one in five of those patients were matched and received a transplant. Thousands of African Americans are currently on the national transplant waiting list. More than 2,000 of those patients are in California alone.

Although the need is prevalent, medical mistrust and societal distrust of organ donation have made cultural barriers for African Americans from becoming donors.

Diversity Makes a Difference
People of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds can donate their organs and tissues. Although organs are not matched according to race or ethnicity, recipients and donors of the same ethnicity are more likely to match. Even more importantly, studies show that transplants may be more successful when organs are matched between members of the same ethnic and racial group.

The need for African American organ, eye and tissue donors is vital. Please register today.

Native American

Over 4 million people in the U.S. identify as American Indian or Alaska Native and 750,000 people in California. Nearly 900 are on the national transplant waiting list and over 100 are in California.

We recognize that the Native American people have long experienced lower health status when compared with other Americans. These disparities contribute to higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and chronic liver disease due to inadequate education, disproportionate poverty, discrimination in the distribution of health services, and cultural differences.

Although the need is prevalent within Native American communities, medical mistrust and societal distrust of organ donation have built barriers for more Native Americans from becoming donors.

Diversity Makes a Difference
People of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds can donate their organs and tissues. Although organs are not matched according to race or ethnicity, recipients and donors of the same ethnicity are more likely to match. Even more importantly, studies show that transplants may be more successful when organs are matched between members of the same ethnic and racial group.

The need for Native American organ, eye and tissue donors is critical. Please register today.