Tag: hospital partner

Dr. Caicedo Shares the Importance of Organ and Tissue Donation for the Hispanic Community

“It’s important that we understand that we are responsible for our own health and the health of our loved ones; that we can make a difference by taking care of ourselves and our loved ones and that we can help others through donation. I started the first Hispanic Transplant Program in the United States at Northwestern Memorial Hospital because Latinos have a longer wait time on the transplant wait list and a great mortality rate due to lack of access to information, language barriers, mistrust of the healthcare system and lack of access to healthcare. Every culture needs an approach that is tailored to them because these barriers can limit access to preventative healthcare and treatment.

I saw an opportunity to do for our Hispanic people here what I couldn’t do in my native country of Colombia. That is what motivated the development of the Hispanic Transplant Program at Northwestern. And that work and what we’ve accomplished has been so fulfilling. It’s a program that has delivered options for the continuance of life to many people and that is a great satisfaction and motivator. I feel my labor has a great purpose.”

Join the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry by Clicking Here or Texting COMMIT to 51555.

Jaime di Paulo Shares the Importance of Organ and Tissue Donation for the Hispanic Community

“Medicine has evolved so much that today organ transplantation has become a solution available to many people with diseases that were previously incurable. I believe that donating organs and tissues is one of the greatest signs of generosity that we can offer as human beings. As a husband, father, and grandfather I feel the responsibility to build a more caring world. Having the opportunity to donate is an act of love that gives those who need it the most the possibility of having a life expectancy again. And, at the end of the day, it is an act that brings us closer to what God teaches us.

Waiting lists for patients requiring an organ transplant are increasing worldwide, but more among our Latino community. We see many anguished people and families daily. Transplant is a proven and validated resource that our people should know about and have more access to. Like any subject that has a moral and spiritual perspective, it is entirely understandable that there are questions. We need to speak more as a community about the meaning of our life and about human dignity. The discussion of these topics, with clear, transparent information in our language, will contribute to giving more visibility to the importance of donation.”

Join the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry by Clicking Here or Texting COMMIT to 51555.

Dr. Silvio Morales Shares the Importance of Organ and Tissue Donation for the Hispanic Community

“Every year, organ transplantation gives thousands of adults and children a renewed chance at living full and active lives. Almost anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender can become an organ and tissue donor, but the need for organs and tissue outweighs their availability. Sadly, nearly 110,000 people are currently on the national transplant waiting list, hoping to survive each day until organs can be found to save their lives.

Hispanics suffer disproportionately from diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, which can put patients at risk for organ failure and lead to the need for organ transplants.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, while 20.4 percent of the total candidates currently waiting for transplants are Hispanic, they comprised only 14.6 percent of organ donors in 2019. This is important because although organs are not matched according to race/ethnicity, all individuals waiting for an organ transplant have a better chance of receiving one if there are large numbers of donors from their racial/ethnic background. This is because compatible blood types and tissue markers—very important qualities for donor/recipient matching—are more likely to be found among members of the same ethnicity. A greater diversity of donors may potentially increase access to transplantation for everyone.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, I encourage my fellow Hispanic Americans to register to become organ/tissue donors; sign up when you renew your driver’s license; and have a family discussion by sharing your desire to become an organ/tissue donor in life or after death. Committing to be an organ donor is a generous decision that can save the lives of up to eight individuals, and even more if a donor can give corneas and tissue.”

Join the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry by Clicking Here or Texting COMMIT to 51555.

Jorge Cervantes Shares the Importance of Organ and Tissue Donation for the Hispanic Community

“Organ donors bring hope to patients and families who are holding out for a miracle and it empowers transplant patients to take back life’s most important moments.

It is important to inform and educate Hispanic patients and their families about the options, risks, and benefits of living and deceased donor transplants so that they can make informed decisions about what is best for them. There is an apparent lack of information about living donation among Hispanics. Increasing and spreading information and education about transplants helps debunk any misinformation myths and fears people might have and lets them know that living donors, for example, can have children, exercise, work and have a normal conjugal/sex life after donation.”

Join the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry by Clicking Here or Texting COMMIT to 51555.

Jaqueline Saldana Shares the Importance of Organ and Tissue Donation for the Hispanic Community

“Organ and tissue donation is truly a magical experience. Just one person can save and enhance several lives. Donation can even help some families through the grieving process, knowing that their loved one continues to live on through others.

Unfortunately, organ donation is not as simple as some may think. Many patients die every day waiting for an organ. It can become a complex process trying to find the recipient and appropriate donor match. Therefore, it is important that many people are informed about the benefits of organ and tissue donation so that there is a greater pool of potential donors. The more donors, the more lives that can be saved. Just like there are many patients who die waiting for an organ, there are patients who die with healthy organs that could have been donated to those hoping for a second chance to live.

Due to the health disparities that exist in the Hispanic population, Hispanics are at high risk for many chronic conditions, which can result in the need for an organ transplant. I can’t stress enough how critical it is for the Hispanic population to understand the importance of organ and tissue donation. They also need to know and understand that donation is a harmless process. As critical care nurse in the intensive care unit who has taken care of many terminal Gift of Hope donors, I can attest that no pain or harm is ever inflicted on the donor. The donor passes away with respect and dignity surrounded by his/her loving family members. Donation can even help some families through the grieving process, knowing that their loved one continues to live on through others. Organ donation is truly a magical experience. Just one person can save several lives.”

Join the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry by Clicking Here or Texting COMMIT to 51555.

Blanca R. Soto Shares the Importance of Organ and Tissue Donation for the Hispanic Community

“The donation of organs and tissue can save and improve many lives. The end of a life for one person, can be the beginning for another one. Why not give life to someone else if you can? Transplants can greatly improve a recipient’s health and quality of life and save or transform the life of that person. One single organ and tissue donor can save or improve the lives of more than 25 people. The number of people on the waiting list keeps getting longer, while the number of donors lags significantly behind.

To me, becoming an organ donor is more than just checking a box when you renew your driver’s license or State ID. It’s making the decision that you want to potentially save someone’s life.”

Join the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry by Clicking Here or Texting COMMIT to 51555.

Dr. Raquel Garcia-Roca Shares the Importance of Organ and Tissue Donation for the Hispanic Community

“Organ donation is the ultimate altruistic act of generosity. Whether it is living or deceased donation, it is the most amazing gift of life one individual can offer another in need. Organ donation and transplantation go together, you cannot have one without the other. After the tragic loss of a loved one, the lives of multiple individuals can endure through lifesaving organ transplants. Many patients wait a long time for their transplants and transplantation offers a healing and positive impact to the lives of these individuals and their entire families.

Although there are many myths about donation, it is important to know that the organizations, professionals, and regulatory agencies participating in organ donation and transplantation are dedicated to honoring organ donors and helping improve the health of thousands of recipients. We all have very high standards and do everything possible to respect and promote life.

Hispanics are disproportionately in need of organ transplants and are sometimes deterred from consenting to donation due to the myths and misinformation around donation and transplant. Asking questions and seeking information about donation is key to combatting this barrier. Additionally, having the donation conversation with loved ones can relieve the burden of making that difficult decision for grieving families when the time comes. There is also a great deal of work to do to inform and educate people around the definition of death and the concept of brain death.

Hispanics are very generous and know the importance of informing themselves and encouraging conversations among loved ones about donation. This is very beneficial to the health and wellness of the Hispanic Community for the long term.”

Join the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry by Clicking Here or Texting COMMIT to 51555.