The need for life-saving organ transplants is high in Black communities across the nation. Compared to other racial and ethnic groups, Black individuals are disproportionately affected by the health conditions that lead to organ failure, especially kidney disease, which often results in the need for a transplant.
As we celebrate Black History Month, it is important to recognize the contributions of Black pioneers in the transplant field and reflect on why organ donation matters for all of us. As the multicultural community outreach coordinator for New England Donor Services, one of the nation’s largest organ procurement organizations, these issues are top of mind for me.
Currently, 27% of all patients on the national waiting list for an organ transplant are Black. That means over 28,000 Black patients are at risk of death if the needed organ is not donated and transplanted in time. The racial disparities in transplant needs are especially pronounced when it comes to kidney disease. In the U.S., more than 800,000 people suffer from end-stage kidney disease, and Black individuals are nearly four times more likely to develop the condition than white individuals.
These disparities have motivated many Black medical professionals to enter the field of transplantation, becoming leaders in improving access and equity. Among them are:
Vivien Thomas (1910-1985)
Though lacking a formal medical degree, she served as supervisor of the surgical laboratories at Johns Hopkins and trained generations of surgeons, including many transplant specialists.
Dr. Samuel Kountz (1930-1981)
A surgical resident at Stanford University, he made history by performing the first successful kidney transplant between non-identical twins. Before his work, transplants had only been attempted between identical twins due to biological compatibility.
Dr. Clive O. Callender (born 1936)
A transplant surgeon and medical professor at Howard University, he pioneered efforts to increase organ donation within minority communities and developed the first minority-led dialysis and transplant center in the United States.
Dr. Velma Scantlebury-White (born 1955)
A Bahamian American, she became the first Black female transplant surgeon in the U.S. in 1989 and is currently a professor of surgery at Texas Christian University.
Organ donation is a community act of kindness built on trust, and the allocation of donated organs must be fair. When people die and become donors, their organs are matched to patients on the national transplant waiting list based on factors such as blood type, body size, biological markers, medical urgency, distance to the transplant center, and time on the waiting list. Because these factors guide the matching process, successful transplants occur between donors and recipients of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
However, because compatible blood types and biological markers — key factors in matching — are more commonly found among people of the same racial or ethnic background, diversity among organ donors is essential. A more diverse donor pool can lead to better matches for transplant recipients and improved long-term survival rates.
While Black patients accounted for nearly 15% of deceased organ donors in 2024, there is still an imbalance between the number of Black individuals in need of transplants and the number of Black donors. This disparity can result in longer waiting times for Black patients, many of whom already face systemic barriers in accessing health care.
Cultural myths and misconceptions about organ donation can discourage individuals of all backgrounds from registering as donors, but these misconceptions ultimately harm patients in need.
Here are some important facts to consider:
• Doctors and other medical professionals always prioritize saving a patient’s life, regardless of their donor registration status.
• Everyone can be considered for donation after death, even those of advanced age or with pre-existing health conditions.
• The national transplant system is designed to ensure fairness — wealth or fame does not move someone up the waiting list.
• The number of Black patients receiving a transplant from a deceased donor has increased for twelve consecutive years, doubling since 2013.
Beyond raising awareness through education, in my role as multicultural community outreach coordinator, I’ve worked to actively engage with communities across the Boston area and the region to ensure that information about organ and tissue donation is accessible, culturally relevant and empowering. Through partnerships with churches, community organizations and advocacy groups, our team works to debunk myths and provide accurate information that encourages informed decision-making.
One of our upcoming initiatives is the “Pink Goes Red” event, which will take place in Jamaica Plain on Feb. 26 and highlights the intersection of heart health and organ donation within the Black community. This event, hosted in collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., aims to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease — one of the leading health conditions that may result in the need for a transplant. By bringing together health care professionals, organ donors and recipients, we hope to foster open conversations about how preventive care and donor registration can save lives. Events like these are critical in bridging knowledge gaps, building trust and increasing donor registrations within historically underrepresented communities.
Organ donation fosters a sense of collective responsibility and reminds us that we are all connected. Registering as a donor is a powerful act of generosity that can save lives and strengthen our communities. Sign up today at RegisterMe.org.
Menen Crawlle is the multicultural community outreach coordinator of New England Donor Services (NEDS), a leading nonprofit organization that coordinates organ and tissue donation across Massachusetts and New England.
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