Why Increasing Diversity Among Organ Donors Is Essential for Transplant Success

August marks National Minority Donor Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of organ donation and raising awareness about transplantation. It’s a time dedicated to encouraging more people to register as donors and promoting healthy living to support organ availability. According to Dr. Shennen Mao, a transplant surgeon at the Mayo Clinic, expanding the diversity of organ donors is crucial to better serve the growing number of patients on transplant waiting lists.

In the United States, approximately 17 people die each day while waiting for an organ transplant. Notably, nearly 60% of those awaiting transplants belong to minority communities, whereas only about 30% of organ donors are from these same groups. Dr. Mao explains that blood types and human leukocyte antigens (HLA), which are antibodies, tend to vary across different ethnic and racial groups. While organ compatibility is not solely determined by ethnicity, organs tend to match better and last longer when donor and recipient backgrounds are similar.

Minority populations often face higher rates of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, all of which can lead to organ failure. This demographic disparity underscores the need for a more diverse donor pool. Dr. Mao emphasizes that increasing the number of donors from minority communities can significantly reduce the gap and help more patients receive life-saving transplants.

Furthermore, living organ donors generally do not experience a decline in their quality of life after donation, and their health outcomes are usually very positive. For recipients, a transplant can be transformative, often restoring health and improving quality of life almost immediately. Dr. Mao notes that individuals approved to be living donors can expect to lead full and normal lives post-donation.

Getting involved as a donor is straightforward. Most states allow individuals to register as donors online or when renewing driver’s licenses or ID cards. Those interested in living donation should contact a transplant center or the recipient’s care team for detailed information.

Efforts to diversify the donor pool are vital to reduce organ shortages and improve transplant outcomes. By supporting organ donation, especially among underrepresented groups, we can help save more lives and address health disparities.