In Fort Valley, Georgia, many African Americans need lifesaving organ transplants, but there are long waiting lists, making it hard for many to receive the help they need.
Bobby Howard, the Director of LifeLink of Georgia’s Multicultural Donation Education program, explains that every day, seven to eight people are added to the transplant waiting list, but the number of organ donors isn’t keeping up with the demand. He says there needs to be a way to close this gap.
Howard emphasizes that African Americans should learn more about why it’s important to become organ donors. He also suggests promoting healthy living habits, like exercise and a good diet, to reduce the need for transplants in the first place.
Through outreach programs, LifeLink aims to help people understand why it’s important for African Americans to get involved in organ donation. While giving an organ to someone in need is a noble act, Howard notes that fear could be one reason many don’t donate.
Chasity Polk, a nursing student at Fort Valley State University, shared her own fear about organ donation before learning about LifeLink. “When I was younger, I heard that as a Black person, you shouldn’t have an organ donor on your license because you might not get the help you need in an emergency, she said. “But after learning more through LifeLink, I don’t believe that anymore.”
Currently, about 60% of people in Georgia waiting for organ transplants are African American. To become an organ donor, visit lifelinkfoundation.org and sign up for free.