(BPT) - Casper resident Lupe was born with a hereditary kidney disease that was dormant for most of her life, but in 2010 after a routine physical, she was told issues with her kidney function meant she would need a transplant. Despite making changes to her diet and exercise regimen to maximize her kidney function, like thousands of others across the country, Lupe was placed on the transplant waiting list. After being on the waiting list for two years, Lupe found out her sister was a match to become her living donor - meaning she could donate one of her kidneys while she was still alive. In the middle of the pandemic, Lupe's sister traveled from Peru to be her living donor.
In January 2021, Lupe got her lifesaving transplant, but there are still nearly 1,500 people in Colorado and Wyoming waiting. Of those in the two-state region waiting for a transplant nearly 50% are from multicultural communities, a rate that is even higher nationally. Among the people on the transplant waiting list 27% identify as Hispanic or Latino, 10% as Black Americans and 7% as part of the AAPI community.
Multicultural populations are among those with the greatest need of lifesaving transplants yet donate at lower rates. While organs are not matched according to race or ethnicity, transplant matches made within multiethnic groups can be more compatible. This is one of the many reasons why it's so important for people of color to register their decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor after death.
August is National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month, a nationwide effort dedicated to saving and improving the quality of life by creating a positive culture around organ, eye and tissue donation in multicultural communities. The observance honors the lives of multicultural donors that have given the gift of life while also providing education and resources, encouraging donor registration, and promoting healthy living and disease prevention.
For Lupe, it's been almost three years since her transplant, and it has meant a second chance at life.
'I felt and still feel blessed,' said Lupe. 'People die on the waiting list every day, but I'm still here and I'm grateful for a second chance to enjoy my life.'
Not everyone can be a living donor, but anyone can register to give the gift of life after their death. One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save or heal more than 75 lives through tissue donation. Anyone can register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, regardless of age, race, medical history, religion or income. Even those with chronic conditions, such as hepatitis and diabetes, can register to give the gift of life at any age.
Colorado and Wyoming residents can sign up to become an organ, eye and tissue donor anytime at DonorAlliance.org.
