SOUTH CAROLINA, USA: Deeply rooted inequities plague organ donation in the U.S., with African-Americans facing disproportionate challenges. Among the hundreds of thousands of Americans awaiting organ transplants, Black individuals represent the largest minority group in need. In 2021, merely 28% of Black patients on the national waiting list received transplants, compared to 48% of their white counterparts. Experts assert that increasing living organ donations could help ameliorate this disparity.
Angela Pikney Hall, a South Carolina resident and basketball coach at Cross High School, embodies the life-changing impact of organ donation. Angela, a lifelong basketball enthusiast, encountered a severe obstacle during her college years when her vision began to deteriorate due to keratoconus, a condition causing the cornea to bulge into a cone shape. Faced with potential blindness, Angela eventually chose to undergo a cornea transplant, describing the experience as gaining a “second chance” at life.
In South Carolina alone, over 1,700 individuals, predominantly from multicultural communities, are awaiting transplants. Crystal Co, director of communications for We Are Sharing Hope SC, highlights the organization’s mission to educate communities of color about organ, eye, and tissue donation while dispelling myths and providing critical healthcare resources. Co emphasizes the power of donating, offering hope amid the challenges of loss.
Experts note severe disparities in kidney transplants, where Black Americans are three times more likely to suffer from kidney failure yet less likely to receive transplants. Advocates stress the vital role living organ donors play in bridging this gap. However, potential donors often confront significant barriers, including concerns about insurance and financial burdens, which deter them from providing this life-saving gift. Encouragement and protection for living donors are crucial to dismantle these barriers and extend the gift of life to more individuals awaiting transplants.
