LOPA to Highlight Multiethnic Donor Awareness throughout August
LOPA (Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency) is participating in National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month (NMDAM) to increase awareness for organ donation in multiethnic communities.
According to LOPA President and CEO Brett Gordon, the gap between the need for organ transplants and the supply of donated organs in Louisiana’s multiethnic communities is of particular concern. More than 68% of the waitlist is multiethnic–higher than the national average of 60%.
”Multiethnic communities, specifically within Louisiana’s African American population, have disproportionately higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease--all of which contribute to organ failure, especially kidney failure,” Gordon said. “National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month is an opportunity to not only highlight the need, but also to empower our multiethnic communities to take part in the lifesaving gift of donation.”
LOPA Community Educator and Multiethnic Specialist Kristie Gauthreaux said the organization takes a two-pronged approach to decreasing the number of people waiting for a life saving organ. “As a living kidney donor, I understand that educating multiethnic communities on healthy living can have the greatest impact. We show people how to reduce their risk of needing a transplant, while also putting them in a position to help others as living donors or through deceased donation. Last year, 35% of all Louisiana donors, both living and deceased, were heroes of color.”
Overall, multiethnic access to transplants is improving. In 2023, nearly half of all organ transplants in the country were performed on multiethnic recipients. Yet the need for organs in every ethnic category remains staggeringly high. On average, 17 people die everyday waiting for a transplant.
“Organ donation is both a precious gift and a limited resource,” Gordon said. “LOPA is committed to maximizing every gift of donation to save and heal as many lives as possible. Ultimately, we need more people to say yes to donation. We encourage everyone to register as an organ, tissue and eye donor and for those who are able, to consider becoming a living donor.”
Data provided by Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, July 14, 2024
Click on the graphics below to access breakdown.