CLEVELAND — MetroHealth and Lifebanc, a non-profit tissue and organ recovery organization, recently hosted an event to honor National Minority Donor Awareness Month.
What You Need To Know
- MetroHealth and Lifebanc hosted an event to recognize National Minority Donor Awareness Month
- There are around 3,000 Ohioans on the national organ transplant waiting list, about 35% of those are people of color
- Lifebanc board member, Jacques Smith, experienced the benefits of a donor firsthand
- The goal of National Minority Donor Awareness Month is so that more people become registered donors
Gordon Bowen, the CEO of Lifebanc, stated that there are around 3,000 people in Ohio waiting on the national organ transplant list and that 35% of those are people of color. Only about 20% of people in that community are registered organ donors, which is why this month is so important.
“So this month is really putting additional efforts in trying to increase the awareness of organ, eye and tissue donation in the people of color community,” said Bowen.
One speaker at the event was Lifebanc board member Jacques Smith, who expressed his gratitude toward the organization.
“I’m very thankful to the work of Lifebanc. I’m a Lifebanc board member. And just very thankful to Lifebanc for helping to save my life,” Smith said.
In 2018, Lifebanc found him a donor for his liver transplant.
“I am proof that donation works,” he said.
He referred to organ donors as “heroes.”
This event and National Minority Donor Awareness Month emphasized the need for minority donors, so that lives will be saved.
“I can’t say enough how important it is for someone to consider being a donor,” Smith said. “I am a true example and testimony to someone’s gift of life.”
