LifeLink of Georgia’s Multicultural Donation Education Program encouraging African Americans to donate

The Director of LifeLink of Georgia's Multicultural Donation Education program, Bobby Howard, says the number of organ donors and recipients doesn't add up.

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Many in the African American community need lifesaving transplants, but because of the extensive waiting list for organs, this may not happen for many.

Several African Americans have been placed on years-long waiting lists for organ donation transplants. The Director of LifeLink of Georgia’s Multicultural Donation Education program, Bobby Howard, says the number of organ donors and recipients doesn’t add up.

“Each day, seven to eight people will be added to the transplant waiting list, so somehow we have to come up with a bridge to bridge that gap,” he said.

Howard says African Americans need to educate themselves on why it’s so important to become a donor and how they can slow down the rate of those in need by implementing exercise, diet and healthy living programs.

“Through community outreach and reaching people where they are, it helps us and it helps the community have a better understanding of why African Americans must get involved with organ donation,” he said, adding that while giving an organ to someone in need is honorable, there is also a common fear, which could be one cause in the lack of donations.

Fort Valley State University nursing major Chasity Polk says before learning about the LifeLink program, she held that fear.

“I’d heard so much when I was younger, especially as a black person,” she said. “You’re not supposed to have an organ donor on your license out of fear of if it comes to an emergency, your life won’t be saved trying to help someone else, but this experience with LifeLink has shut down that narrative in my head.”

About 60% of Georgians waiting for lifesaving transplants are African Americans. To become an organ donor, visit lifelinkfoundation.org and register for free.