Organ Transplants: Black People Wait Up To Six Months Longer

[naomi24]

//The best match comes from someone of the same ethnicity - but only 2% of donors in 2021/22 were black, while black people are 4% of the population.

Black families are also less likely to agree to organ donation than white families, the figures show.

The NHS says there's an "urgent need" for more people from ethnic minorities to donate. //

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64235369

People in these groups are obviously willing to receive organs but how can they be encouraged to donate?

[youngmafbog]

It's always a difficult one this.

Superstitions, religion, general beliefs can all play a part. If they dont want to give then so be it, no one should be forced.

I always thing recipients who have registered to give should be first in the queue to receive. And that counts for all races.

[douglas9401]

Get Lewis Hamilton or Lenny Henry to back the campaign?

[youngmafbog]

Are they registered to donate though?

[THECORBYLOON]

There's a presumption of agreeing to organ donation in Great Britain unless folk have opted out and that will apply in Ulster later this year.

[rockyracoon]

I thought there was presumed consent now, or am I wrong?

[naomi24]

Perhaps they opt out.

[barry1010]

Presumed consent with dead bodies, many donors are living.

Sickle cell patients have the same problem. This is a condition that only affects people of African and Caribbean heritage and when they need transfusions because of the sickle cell it really needs to be donated by somebody of the same ethnicity and there is nowhere near enough.

[douglas9401]

Maybe black lives don't matter as much to black people as previously advertised.

[rockyracoon]

'Presumed consent with dead bodies, many donors are living.'

True. But I'd imagine enough people have died to aid the transplant list. I thought that was the whole purpose of presumed consent.

[barry1010]

Everyone has the choice to opt out.

[Mozz71]

Black Livers Matter

[piggynose]

For those of us who didn't know what a sickle cell is. I thought it was a typo.


https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/facts.html

[Togo]

//Get Lewis Hamilton or Lenny Henry to back the campaign?//

Or Meaghain?

It could be the Meaghain Campaign.

[ynnafymmi]

@10.04. ....or Gary Lineker.

[THECORBYLOON]

For the avoidance of any doubt, care to explain that suggestion, ynnafymmi?

[lankeela]

The OP title is surely worthy of a tabloid headline - as though they are being made to wait longer because they are black. Anyway I thought we were all the same apart from the colour of our skin? I suppose the question is would they accept a donated organ from a white person - I know I would be happy to accept one from any person if in need.

[THECORBYLOON]

"Why does ethnicity matter in organ transplants?

It comes down to getting somebody to match your organs as close as possible.

People of the same background are more likely to share blood and tissue types - which means your body is more likely to accept an organ without issues.

According to NHS Blood and Transplant, people from Black and Asian communities are more likely to develop high blood pressure, diabetes and certain forms of hepatitis than white people. This makes them more likely to need a transplant.

Just over 30% of people waiting for a transplant across the UK are from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds. Over a third of people (35%) waiting for a kidney are from these backgrounds.

Most black and minority ethnic people receive organs from white people, but they're less likely to be a closer match."

[Zacs-Master]

'as though they are being made to wait longer because they are black.'

No one has said that. You've not read the OP correctly.

[lankeela]

Zac I did read it correctly - it is you who have not read my post correctly. I said it is the headline that is 'misleading' and presumably meant to court controversy and would be worthy of a tabloid headline.

[Zacs-Master]

Apologies.