Those who do not regularly visit a doctor due to economic struggles are more likely to develop the need for a new organ. This can be anything from a liver, kidney, heart, skin, eye, etc. It is a long process just to get on the list to receive a new organ. Some people wait on this list for years at a time. When applying to get on the waiting list, you must state your race. Also, it is proven that it is harder for African Americans to receive a new organ than it is for white people. The criteria for who is prioritized on the waitlist are made by people on a committee. While white people on the waitlist have about a 50% chance of getting a transplant each year, the number is closer to 25% for Black people.
You don't have to literally donate an organ to support organ donation. Other options include: donating to a research facility, attending lifeBanc events, UNOS events, etc. Tell others about the many injustices in the organ donation system. Simply talking about organ donation to you family, friends or peers can help!
