August 1 is National Minority Donor Awareness Day; Pennsylvania Department of Health Expanding Outreach Efforts Aimed at Increasing Organ and Tissue Donations within Minority Communities.

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- There are nearly 6,500 people awaiting an organ transplant in Pennsylvania. Twenty-five percent, or more than 1,600, are African-American, which is disproportionately high since they represent 10 percent of Pennsylvania's overall population. Nationally, close to 89,000 people are on the transplant waiting list and minority patients comprise more than half the total number of patients awaiting kidney transplants, according to data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. That is why National Minority Donor Awareness Day on August 1st is so important - it is an opportunity to educate and raise awareness on this significant topic.

The statistics are particularly disturbing since there has been an increase in the number of minorities awaiting transplants in many communities. The number of African-Americans on the organ transplant waiting list is 166 percent higher today than just 10 years ago. However, only 12 percent of all donors to date have been African-American. This creates a challenge because transplant success rates increase when organs are matched between members of the same ethnic and racial group.

With African-Americans disproportionately affected by illnesses that can lead to the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant, the lack of available organs means longer waiting periods, years on dialysis and sometimes death. Hilda Crawford of Pittsburgh, who has been waiting for a liver transplant for more than a year notes, "A lot of African-Americans don't donate organs, and we need to because we need organs, too. It's the right thing to do."

To help bring these important issues to the attention of minority communities throughout the western part of the state, the Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE), the organ procurement organization (OPO) serving the region, is launching a new Multicultural Affairs Committee to plan special initiatives. "Among all communities, there are many misconceptions and myths about becoming a designated organ donor. However, the situation is particularly acute within the African-American community where there tends to be a mistrust of the medical system. We are working to change those attitudes," notes William Medley, CORE's eye bank coordinator and member of the new Committee.

Cynthia London, a member of the Gift of Life Board of Directors, the OPO serving the eastern half of Pennsylvania, agrees. "It is critical that we talk about organ and tissue donation in our community," she said. When her 22-year old son, Sipho Thembla (meaning "gift of hope" in South African) was shot in 1997, London knew that Sipho would want to help others. She made the decision to donate, and his organs saved the lives of six people who were desperately waiting.

This active volunteer frequently shares her son's story and believes that his selfless gift has helped her family to heal. "When you die, if you leave money, people can spend it; if you leave property, they can give it away. Sipho left a legacy by donating his organs so others can live. That can never be taken away and knowing this helps bring comfort to our family," she added.

Gift of Life's Multicultural Affairs Committee is sponsoring the 9th Annual Gospel Concert and Vigil at 6 p.m., July 31 at the First District Plaza, 3801 Market Street in Philadelphia. The concert features the music of the St. Thomas Gospel Choir and the True Gospel Tabernacle Choice, with Ed Long of WDAS-AM radio emceeing the event.

"Special events like the concert and vigil help to raise awareness, which is so critical because African-Americans are at high risk for health conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity and diabetes, all of which can lead to the need for an organ transplant," said Tina Evans-Caines, Community Relations Coordinator, Gift of Life and chair, National Coalition on Donation African-American Committee. "These events also feature donor families and recipients who will share their personal experiences in hopes of addressing some of the myths and misconceptions that are widely believed in minority communities."

The statewide organ and tissue donor awareness campaign, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Power, will also reach out to African-Americans when it launches a new project in mid-August. Designed to raise awareness and organ donor designations, the program is being carried out by the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Transportation, the Center for Organ Recovery and Education and Gift of Life Donor Program.

"The one thing we need to extend to each other is the act of love," said London. "It makes me happy to know that we can enhance other people's lives by leaving our organs here on earth," she added.

For more information, call 877-DONOR-PA or log on to www.donatelife-pa.org to find the closest driver's license center where you can add the donor designation to your driver's license or state identification card.