(FOX40.COM) — Sierra Donor Services is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring the contributions of Latino donors, transplant recipients and community leaders helping the advancement of organ, eye and tissue donation across California, officials said.
Despite people of color making up 80% of California’s organ transplant waiting list, with nearly half identifying as Hispanic/Latino, they continue to remain underrepresented on the donor registry, due to factors such as language barriers, cultural beliefs and the distrust of the health care community, officials said.
SDS is addressing the disparity by partnering with 44 hospitals across Northern California and Nevada to support organ and tissue donation.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize the incredible cultural richness and impact of Latino communities,” Sean Van Slyck, Chief Executive Officer of Sierra Donor Services, said. “We’re proud to work alongside Latino advocates and organizations that are driving awareness and saving lives through organ donation.”
From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Sierra Donor Services is launching outreach efforts to increase donor registration and build trust with the Latino communities, officials said.
The outreach efforts include:
- “Historias de Esperanza” Social Media Campaign: Highlighting personal stories from Latino donors, transplant recipients and community advocates
- Community Partnerships: Collaborating with organizations such as the National Association of Hispanic Nurses – Sacramento Chapter, Sol Collective and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to share culturally relevant education materials
- Media Relationships: Strengthening connections with local Hispanic media outlets to amplify donation awareness and outreach
“I am living proof that organ donors save lives,” Elizabeth Arteaga-Ortega, a heart and kidney transplant recipient, said. “I’m alive today because someone said ‘yes’ to donation. That decision gave me a second chance.”
To learn more about Sierra Donor Services, visit their website.
Natalie Sierra
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