Each year it amazes me how early holiday decorations begin to appear around town. I have driven around St. Louis and have seen Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas items out all at the same time. As we get closer to December, children start to prepare their wish lists, parents start layaways to get a jump start on the shopping, and local stores start luring you in with the promise of sale items. Although, ideally the focus should be on giving but more than not, the focus is on receiving. However, this year I would challenge us to contemplate on another form of giving such as organ donation.
The lack of available organs for minorities is a major healthcare disparity. The fact that the rate of organ donations among African Americans does not keep pace with the number of people needing organs is a healthcare disparity. African Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics are three times more likely than whites to suffer from kidney disease. A disproportionate number of African Americans have uncontrolled high blood pressure which can cause kidney failure. That fact alone is a serious health disparity.
Each day approximately 18 people die waiting for transplants. Currently, there are over 110,000 people waiting for an organ donation. As of last year, 29 percent of the national waiting list was African American. Of the 80,000 people waiting for a kidney, 35 percent of them are African American. Transplants can include not only kidneys but livers, lungs, hearts and tissue such as corneas or bone marrow. One person can save or enhance 50 lives with organ or tissue donation.
The first successful kidney transplant was performed in 1954 by Dr. Joseph Murray and the first successful bone marrow transplant was performed by Dr. Donnal Thomas in 1968. Both of these gentleman received Nobel Prizes in 1990 for their pioneering work. 1968 was also the year that the first successful heart transplant was performed.
It is widely believed by the proponents of organ donation that a multitude of myths exist which frightens potential donors away.
Myth #1: If I agree to be an organ donor, life-saving treatments will be withheld from me in case of an emergency.
Fact: The medical team is totally separate from the transplant team. Whatever medicine or treatment that is required to care for you will be provided.
Myth #2: If I decide to donate my organs, then I cannot have an open casket funeral.
Fact: Once the organs have been removed, your incisions are surgically repaired. Your body is treated with dignity and respect throughout the entire donation process.
Myth #3: I have too many health problems or I am too old to donate.
Fact: Anyone at any age or with most health problems can sign up to donate. The transplant team at death will determine whether donation is possible.
Myth #4: My family will incur a cost for me to donate.
Fact: There is no cost to families or donors.
Myth #5: Only the rich or famous people get the organs anyway
Fact: Per the website www.organdonor.gov: When matching donor organs to recipients, the computerized matching system considers issues such as the severity of illness, blood type, time spent waiting, other important medical information, and geographic location. The recipient’s financial or celebrity status or race does not figure in.
Many African American institutions and organizations such as Howard University in Washington, D.C, and The Links, Incorporated have championed organ donation as a cause. Minorities have an increased chance of transplant success if the donor is of the same racial or ethnic background. However, this does not preclude organs from a non-related donor. In those cases, immunosuppressive drugs are given to keep the body from rejecting the transplant.
I have said this many times before. Historically, our community has risen to the occasion when called upon. Just look at what we did in electing and re-electing the first African American President. It is now that time again for us to take our rightful place and add our voices to this crucial issue. I am convinced that each of us knows someone who is in need of a transplant.
To find out more information or to register as a donor, go to www.organdonor.gov. Give the gift of life.
Yours in Service,
Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D.
Assistant Professor
SLUCare Family Medicine
yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com
