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Need for organ and tissue donors greater than ever; waiting list grows

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Many people believe that emergency room doctors will not work as hard to save the life of an organ and tissue donor, which is also untrue. Doctors who work to save lives are not the same doctors involved with organ donation, and organ donation will be considered only after every attempt has been made to save your life.

Published

6 years ago

April 18, 2019

Oakland Post

By Aisling Mäki, Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Angela Gordon had no known health issues when she ended up in the emergency room with an unbearable headache. It was there that she discovered she had hereditary hypertension. And although she was just 19 years old, her blood pressure had reached stroke level. What shocked her most was learning that her kidneys had already developed scars and she would eventually need a kidney transplant.

In 2006, she underwent a procedure at the Methodist Transplant Institute to receive the kidney of a donor who had died in a car wreck. Gordon’s body later rejected the organ and, three years ago this month, she underwent a second kidney transplant. Thanks to medical advancements in recent years, she is doing well. She is alive today because two people made the decision to donate their organs.

Gordon has since become an ambassador for the Mid-South Transplant Foundation (MSTF), educating the public about her experience as a two-time organ recipient.

“MSTF is wonderful because they showed me I wasn’t the only one dealing with the emotions I had around the fact that someone had to lose their life in order to save mine,” she said. “They let me know that was the wish of the donor, to help somebody, and that there’s no need to feel guilty. It meant a lot just to have a group there who understood and to know there are a lot of other people like me.”

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, there are 113,697 on the national waiting list, and 94,913 are waiting for a kidney. More than 4,000 Mid-Southerners are awaiting organ and tissue donation, and 2,000 of them are African Americans waiting for kidneys. This is due in part to the significant prevalence of high blood pressure and diabetes in the Mid-South community.

However, despite the need, many people are still not registering to become organ and tissue donors.

“Even though so many of us have people in our family who have high blood pressure and diabetes and may need transplants, still, not enough of us choose to donate our organs to save lives,” Gordon said. “One person can save up to 50 lives with their tissue and organs, and many more lives because you touch the families of people’s loved ones who are waiting. We can do something about it.”

According to MSTP, it’s often a lack of knowledge, lack of trust of the medical profession, and a number of common myths that prevent people from registering as organ and tissue donors.

For example, some believe there are costs associated with donation, which is false. The donor’s family pays nothing for the cost of donation. All costs related to the donation of organs and tissues are paid by the recipient, usually through insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.

Some people believe their religion doesn’t support donation, when, in fact, all major religions support organ and tissue donation and see it as a final act of love and generosity toward others by giving the ultimate gift of life.

Another persistent myth people believe is that no one will want their organs and tissues because of their age or medical history. However, age and most medical conditions do not exclude you from being a suitable organ and tissue donor. There are very few rule-outs, and due to medical advancements, those few may even change over time.

Many people believe that emergency room doctors will not work as hard to save the life of an organ and tissue donor, which is also untrue. Doctors who work to save lives are not the same doctors involved with organ donation, and organ donation will be considered only after every attempt has been made to save your life.

MSTF ambassadors like Gordon are working hard to educate the community about the facts of donation and transplantation by visiting churches, colleges, high schools, civic groups, health awareness events and workplace partner events. And that education seems to be having an impact; In 2018, the number of transplants was on the rise.

“I feel it’s due to increased education,” said Randa Lipman, MSTF Community Outreach Manager. “However, the needs are still so great in our community. Every 10 minutes, another person is added to the waiting list, and 22 people die each day because the organs they need are not donated in time.”

Registering is easy. Simply check “yes” to be an organ and tissue donor every time you renew your driver’s license or state I.D, or register online; the MSTF website has a link to state registries where you can update your wishes at any time.

Friday, April 12 is Blue and Green Day 901. The Big River Crossing and Hernando de Soto Bridge will be lit blue and green for organ and tissue donor awareness. Shelby County School employees and students will wear blue and green, city and county governments will decorate their offices and wear blue and green, and an exciting surprise will be in store for the public at Overton Square at 6 p.m. Learn more about Blue and Green Day 901 at www.midsouthtransplant.org.

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#NNPA BlackPress

OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org