Hispanics/Latinos and Organ Donation

An Important Message
about donation among minorities. Mireya Vallina
A kidney recipient becomes a Donate Life ambassador. Debbie Delgado-Vega
Energetic liver recipient gets the bi-lingual word out about organ donation. Manuel Salazar
A quadruple amputee enjoys a full life with tissue donation.

Mireya Vallina
Miami, FL

Mireya promotes organ donation to show her gratitude for the person that gave her a second chance at life.

Debbie Delgado-Vega
New York, NY

Debbie has received two liver transplants, and made countless people aware that organ donation can be an option for them.

Manuel Salazar
Denver, CO

Because of donated tissue and prosthetics, Manuel drives, skis and runs his own auto body shop.

Hispanics/Latinos in the United States have high rates of diabetes and heart disease.

Mexican Americans in particular suffer disproportionately from obesity, which contributes to diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease—increasing the risk of organ failure. Hispanics/Latinos comprise 16% of the population, 18% of those waiting for a kidney, and 17% of those waiting for a liver.

Who receives organs? Is there discrimination? Will I receive the same hospital care if I’m a registered donor? Does my religion allow donation?
> Find answers to these and more questions

Learn about the health conditions that especially affect Hispanics/Latinos . Take better care of your health to help prevent the need for transplantation.

• 13%of all those who received transplants were Hispanic/Latino
• 65%of Hispanic/Latino transplant recipients received kidneys
• 23%of Hispanic/Latino transplant recipients received livers
• 13%of all deceased donors were Hispanic/Latino

• Why Minority Donors Are Needed
• National Minority Donor Awareness Week
• Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation (AMAT)
• National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP)
• Organ Donation and:
  • > African Americans
  • > Asians, and Native Hawaiians       and Other Pacific Islanders
  • > People Over Age 50