28 November 2017 – Today we launched a new campaign in response to research findings, to tackle the lack of living organ donors in the African Caribbean community in the UK.

Organ donation in the African Caribbean community has been in consistent decline for several years. Figures recently published by NHS Blood and Transplant showed that in 2016-17:

●      Only 17 people from the community came forward to save a life through donating their kidney: the lowest number in 5 years.

●      African Caribbean patients who needed a kidney waited, on average, over one year longer than white patients.

●      Just 24% of African Caribbean patients received a kidney transplant, meaning over 600 people remained in need at the end of the year.

●      Over 250 died while waiting for a donor.

Source: Organ Donation and Transplantation data for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Communities Report 2016-2017

Orin Lewis OBE, African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust Chief Executive, said:

“This is a real issue facing our community. Our silent crisis needs to not be silent anymore: More donors of African Caribbean descent need to come forward and help us save lives. Too many people needlessly die waiting while friends, family and colleagues could provide a vital match. We need a game changer soon, if the current trend continues the future looks bleak for our community.”

Click here to read more on living organ donation and how you can help us to tackle the issue face on.  Watch a short film from real-life case study Nina, who decided to become a living kidney donor for someone she knew, however ended up donating her kidney to a stranger instead in 2014.

Become inspired to give the gift of life!