People of all ages, races, and ethnicities have the power to save and improve lives by registering as organ and tissue donors.  

While most racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. donate at rates that reflect their share of the population, the need for transplants is especially high in some communities. This is often due to higher rates of health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes—two leading causes of kidney failure..

A greater diversity of donors may potentially increase access to transplantation for everyone.

About Organ and Tissue Donation

• People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential donors
• The decision to be an organ donor will in no way affect the level of medical care for a sick or injured person.
• Organs are matched according to medical need, compatibility and location. A patient’s income, race or social status is never taken into account.
• Most religions support organ donation and consider it the greatest gift a person can give. 
• One organ and tissue donor can save 8 lives and enhance the lives of over 75 others. 

Multicultural Communities in Donation and Transplantation

• Make up over 60% of people currently on the U.S. transplant waiting list.
• Make up 50% of people who received organ transplants in 2024.
• Make up 33% of deceased and living organ donors in 2024.
• 27% of people waiting for lifesaving organ transplants nationally are African American.
• 23% of people waiting for lifesaving organ transplants nationally are Hispanic/Latino.
• African Americans are nearly four times more likely to develop end-stage kidney disease than Caucasians while Hispanics/Latinos are more than twice as likely.