National Minority Donor Awareness Day (NMDAD) is celebrated annually on Aug. 1 and is a nationwide observance to educate minorities about the urgent need for organ donation and organ transplantation within the multicultural community. According to the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS), approximately 55 percent of those on the United States waiting list are minorities. In 2010, organ transplants were performed on 11,499 minority patients; while there were 2,652 minority deceased donors. The designation also is a day to encourage more minorities to act on their decisions to become organ and tissue donors and to recognize those individuals who gave the gift of life.
"The goal of National Minority Donor Awareness Day is to inspire people from all multicultural groups to become donors and dispel some of the common myths about donation," says Pam Blaney, Director of Nursing, Critical Care Services at Methodist Charlton Medical Center, and Chair of Methodist Charlton's Donor Collaborative Team. "We are glad to partner with LifeGift in spreading this lifesaving message."
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Comasita Shed with her parents at a holiday
party for transplant recipients at Methodist
Dallas Medical Center. Click to enlarge image. |
Comasita Shed is an example of an organ donor turned advocate. When Ms. Shed started attending transplant support group meetings with her father, it opened her eyes about a lot of things. "Like many in the African American community, I didn't know a lot about organ donation," says Ms. Shed. "Once I started hearing more information and learning about the process, I decided I wanted to donate a kidney to my father if I could." In 2002, Ms. Shed donated a kidney to her father.. Her experience has led her to encourage other minorities to become organ donors. "I talk about it whenever I can," says Ms. Shed. "I tell them to investigate, research, and ask questions. And let your family know that it is your desire to be an organ donor when you die." She says that even though the person may have wanted to donate their organs, at the time of death it is up to the family to make the final decision. As a result of her speaking out on the subject, several of her friends have made the decision to become organ donors. She has also discussed it with her family, and they all want to be organ donors. "Think of what it must be like to leave something of yours to be a part of someone else," she says.
The Donor Collaborative teams of Methodist Health System meet to raise awareness of organ donation, analyze the hospitals' contributions to organ donation and strive to improve processes and knowledge associated with organ donation. Methodist Dallas Medical Center Director of Adult Critical Care Services Barbara Madden, who leads the Donor Collaborative Team at Methodist Dallas says, "We want our donor families to feel well educated and supported before, during, and after the organ donation process." Methodist Dallas recently held a dedication ceremony for its Wall of Heroes, which displays photos of those who have saved lives through organ donation. The Wall is a collaborative effort between the Methodist Dallas Donor Collaborative Team and Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA).
Many of the conditions leading to the need for transplant – such as diabetes and hypertension – are more prevalent among minority populations. Of the nearly 11,000 Texans on the waiting list, 2,253 are African-American; 4,802 are Hispanic; and 284 are Asian-Americans. A large percentage of those minorities on the transplant list are waiting for kidneys since diseases, such as diabetes, are more prevalent among these population segments. "One organ donor has the ability to save up to eight lives," said Sam Holtzman, president and CEO of LifeGift., "Knowing that you have the power to give someone else a chance to live a healthy productive life is the greatest gift of all."
Research shows that the topic of organ and tissue donation is simply not on the "radar screen" for many minorities. There is a lack of awareness within the multicultural communities about the dire need for donations. This is why education is so important. In addition to the lack of awareness, there are several commonly held beliefs about organ donation among minorities. These myths include:
- "If I'm in an accident and the hospital knows that I want to be an organ and tissue donor, the doctors will not try to save my life." The truth is that organ and tissue recovery takes place only after all efforts to save your life have been exhausted and death has been legally declared. The medical team treating you is completely separate from the transplant team. The organ procurement organization (OPO) notifies the transplant team following consent to donation.
- "Donation will mutilate my body." The truth is that donated organs and tissues are removed surgically, in a routine operation similar to open-heart surgery. Donation does not prevent an open-casket funeral or viewing.
- "I don't need to tell my family that I want to be an organ and tissue donor because I have it written in my will." The truth is that by the time your will is read, it will be too late to recover your organs and tissues.
For more information on how to register as an organ and tissue donor in the official state registry, visit www.donatelifetexas.org or www.lifegift.org.
Caption: Comasita Shed with her parents at a holiday party for transplant recipients at Methodist Dallas Medical Center
About Methodist Health System
Guided by the founding principles of life, learning, and compassion, Methodist Health System (Methodist) provides quality, integrated care to improve and save the lives of individuals and families throughout North Texas. Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Methodist Midlothian Health Center, and Methodist Family Health Centers are part of the nonprofit Methodist Health System, which is affiliated by covenant with the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Additional information is available at www.methodisthealthsystem.org. Connect with us through Facebook, YouTube and Twitter at www.methodisthealthsystem.org/socialmedia.
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Contact:
Lynette Wilkinson, APR
214-947-7460
lynettewilkinson@mhd.com
Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System. |
