First published 2024-09-25 11:44:51
In South Carolina, communities of color face stark disparities in access to life-saving organ transplants. Angela Pikney Hall, a women’s basketball coach at Cross High School, shed light on these challenges through her personal journey of overcoming keratoconus, a condition causing the cornea to bulge. After years of deteriorating vision that threatened to end her basketball career, Hall ultimately received a cornea transplant, drastically changing her life.
Crystal Co, the director of communications for We Are Sharing Hope SC, emphasized the agency’s ongoing mission to educate communities of color about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donations. With over 1,700 individuals in South Carolina currently on waiting lists for transplants, and more than 65% of these patients hailing from multicultural backgrounds, the need for awareness and action is more pressing than ever. This initiative not only aims to dispel long-standing myths surrounding organ donation but also provides crucial preventative healthcare resources for families during an incredibly challenging time.
Angela Pikney Hall, having undergone a second cornea transplant, is now an advocate for organ donation. As a registered donor herself, she uses her platform to inspire and educate others on the life-changing impact of donating. Her story stands as a testament to the power of organ transplants, transforming not only her life but also her perspective, driving her to contribute positively to her community. Through her efforts, Angela hopes to bring more awareness and potentially increase the number of registered donors, especially within minority communities.
