Southwest Transplant Alliance Supports National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month with Education, Inspiration and Proposed System Reform
DALLAS – Aug. 8 , 2022 – Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA), a leading organ procurement organization serving 89 counties, is observing National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month – a movement designed to save and improve the quality of life of diverse communities by creating a positive culture for organ, eye and tissue donation.
“The miracle of organ and tissue donation is for everybody, regardless of race or ethnicity. Yet, there is a disproportionate need among communities of color, specifically African American, Latino and Asian populations,” said STA President Brad Adams. “This inequity is due in part to a number of historic and systemic factors, and STA is committed to the long term work of engaging with these communities year round to dispel myths, share resources and inspire every person to say “yes” to donation.”
The need for organ donation disproportionately impacts multiethnic populations and yet these communities are underrepresented on the organ, eye and tissue donation registry. STA’s work to engage with multicultural communities includes education surrounding the facts about donation, detailed information about the process and importance of registering by shining a spotlight on compelling stories from families who are part of STA’s community of hope. Examples of these focused initiatives include:
After extensive research throughout its donor service area, STA developed programs and initiatives aimed at reaching diverse audiences, including a dedicated “one YES” campaign page, multifaceted digital media outreach and partnerships which inspire communities of color to take action.
STA launched its Spanish-language microsite, a resource dedicated to the Latino audience, with compelling stories of impact, facts about donation and steps to register as a donor.
STA is also a founding member of the Organ Donation Consortium, an organized effort amongst OPOs to address industry challenges, including eliminating health disparities and creating a more equitable donation landscape.
Throughout the month, STA is bringing heightened awareness to the importance and impact of one person’s “YES” to donation by highlighting donor and recipient testimonials, dispelling myths and providing bilingual resources. Recognized every August by the National Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation Multicultural Action Group, the month is dedicated to honoring communities of color impacted by organ and tissue donation, educating the community about the process and encouraging more people to consider registering.
Anyone can register as an organ donor, and there are several ways to do so:
Online at organ.org/register
When you renew your driver’s license or state ID through Texas DPS
Using the MedID tab of the Health App on your iPhone or iPad
Through STA and Donate Life Texas representatives at special events
By completing a paper form by mail
Learn more about the donation process, disparities impacting communities of color and stories of Texans impacted by donation at organ.org/1yes. Para información en español, visita organ.org/espanol.
About Southwest Transplant Alliance
Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA) is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas, that saves lives by fulfilling the gifts of organ and tissue donation. Founded in 1974, STA has facilitated more than 35,000 organs for recovery and enhanced the lives of tens of thousands of people through tissue recovery. STA is among the largest of 57 federally designated, nonprofit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States and is a member of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Established in 2018, the STA Foundation provides care for families, community education, and research in transplant science. STA serves communities in North Texas, Beaumont, Bryan/College Station, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Galveston, Midland/Odessa, Temple, Tyler and Wichita Falls. For more information, go to ORGAN.ORG.
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