Read More

MORA > Outreach > Multiethnic Communities

Multiethnic Communities

In communities of color, the need for organ donors is great. Multiethnic groups, including Black/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinx, Asian-Pacific Islanders, and American Indians, are more likely to need a lifesaving organ transplant. In Mississippi, almost 70% of the transplant waiting list and more than 90% of individuals in need of a kidney transplant are Black/African American. Certain diseases that can lead to organ failure, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, are more prevalent in ethnically diverse communities.

Although it’s not necessary for someone awaiting an organ transplant to match with a donor based on race or ethnicity, transplant matches within ethnic groups can be more successful. This is because compatible blood types and other markers are more likely found in members of the same ethnicity. Nearly 60% of the National Transplant Waiting List is made up of people of color, so more members of these multiethnic communities must add their names to the donor registry.

Thank you to all donors, donor families, registered donors and supporters who champion our mission of saving and healing lives in Mississippi and beyond through organ and tissue donation. We need your continued help to spread a positive message in communities of color by dispelling common myths and sharing facts about donation.

Below are some interesting statistics from Donate Life America.

Did You Know?

Kidney Disease

  • 33% of all American adults are at risk for kidney disease
  • Black/African Americans are three to four times more likely to progress to kidney failure compared to White Americans
  • Hispanics/Latinxs are 1.3 times more likely to progress to kidney failure compared to White Americans

Waiting List

  • There are over 100,000 people nationally who are waiting on a lifesaving transplant. Of these:
  • 27% of people waiting are Black/African American
  • About 23% people of waiting are Hispanic/Latinx
  • 8% of people waiting for a transplant are Asian/Pacific Islander

Recipients in 2023

  • 2,969 Asian/Pacific Islander organ transplant recipients
  • 8,540 Hispanic/Latino organ transplant recipients
  • 10,826 Black/African American organ transplant recipients

Donors in 2023

    • 803 living and deceased Asian/Pacific Islander donors
    • 3,547 living and deceased Hispanic/Latino donors
    • 3,062 living and deceased Black/African American donors

To learn more facts about multicultural donation statistics, click here.

If you’d like to invite us to speak, please contact us at 601-933-1000 or fill out the Events Request Form.

Outreach Form

"*" indicates required fields

MM slash DD slash YYYY
MM slash DD slash YYYY
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Time
:
Contact Name
Address
(Please select one from the Drop-down menu)