Black Lives Matter
More than 100,000 people are on the national transplant waiting list; 60% of those represent multicultural communities.
Lifeline of Ohio recognizes that before we can empower the Black community to save and heal others through organ, eye and tissue donation, we must first acknowledge their pain, cultivate trust, provide support and deliver resources to improve their overall health and wellness.
Our Why
- African Americans comprise 13 percent of the US population but make up 32% of those waiting for a kidney transplant.
- Black people are 3 times more likely to need a lifesaving transplant than another ethnicity.
- More diversity in the donor population can lead to increased access to lifesaving organs.
- The chance of long-term survival may be improved if the donor and recipient are closely matched in terms of shared genetic background
Our work
Lifeline of Ohio supports the community by participating in health fairs, such as The African American Male Wellness Walk, Linden Festival and sponsoring community events to spread the Donate Life message.
Original Programs like A Hero’s Tribute, Worship for Life and ShopTalk utilize a “for us/by us” approach in which African Americans share the facts about donation with other African Americans.
Our African American Advisory Council, comprised of leaders from the business, medical, non-profit, faith-based and donation community, utilize their platforms to advance donation advocacy. View Advisory Council members.
For more information on African American outreach, email Demia Kandi at Dkandi@lifelineofohio.org.