2014 National Minority Donor Awareness Week

National Minority Donor Awareness Week is a nationwide observance to raise awarness of the desperate need for donation and transplantation within the multicultural community, and how to designate the decision to Donate Life.

Why is it important for minorities to become donors?

• There are more than 64,000 Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native Americans registered on the U.S. organ transplant waiting list.
• Although these populations make up only 36 % of the U.S. population, ethnic communities comprise a disproportionately high percentage -- 56% -- of all patients on the waiting list for organ transplants.
• Registering as an organ donor documents your wish to give life to another after you pass away.  Donate Life Northwest manages this confidential database for the state of Oregon.  Doctors do not have any access whatsoever to the Registry; they do not know if you are a donor, and your healthcare would never be compromised just because you registered.

We encourage you to share our resources and urge your community to register as organ, eye and tissue donors!