Did you know that there are more than 100,000 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Of the 20,000 patients currently on the waiting list in California, 775 live in San Francisco! Due to a lack of donors, 18 patients die every day awaiting a second chance at life.

The need in our multicultural communities is great. Nationwide, minorities represent 54% of organ transplant candidates and more than 60% of those awaiting kidney transplants. In California, Latinos make up 35% of those waiting for life-saving transplants, Asians/Pacific Islanders 16%, and African Americans another 14%. Nearly 75% of those waiting for a kidney transplant are people of color. Nationwide, African Americans comprise 12% of the total population, but represent 35% of kidney transplant candidates. This high proportion is due to a higher incidence of diabetes and hypertension.

In 2004, the DMV discontinued the pink dot sticker that had previously appeared on licenses of donors in favor of a state registry system. Now if you want to designate yourself as a donor, you must either register online or indicate “Yes!” next time you renew your driver’s license.

Taking a couple minutes to register as an organ and tissue donor can mean a lifetime to someone else. Thank you!