“Organ donation is my mission because it saved my life, and it's going to save my son’s life. It’s not just about the moment of the transplant or the call—it’s about all the moments that follow,” says Dr. Brittany Clayborne, who was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy during labor with her son in 2010.
During the already intense moments of childbirth came the shocking news that she would eventually need a heart transplant to survive. After eight years of waiting, Dr. Brittany got the call that changed everything. “I received my heart transplant in 2018, so now I’m seven years out and just thriving, celebrating life, and squeezing all the joy out of every moment,” she said.
Dr. Brittany’s journey with organ donation did not end with her 2018 transplant. Her teenage son, Micah, was later diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and Danon disease in 2023. Like his mother, Micah required a heart transplant. “We’re waiting for that lifesaving call for him,” said Dr. Brittany at the time of his diagnosis. On October 14, 2024, Micah received his transplant and is now thriving.
Dr. Brittany Clayborne, Heart recipient
Does race or ethnicity matter in organ, eye, and tissue transplantation?
Organ, eye, and tissue transplants are not limited by race or ethnicity. However, genetic similarity between donors and recipients can increase the likelihood of a successful match. Certain conditions that disproportionately affect Black populations, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, can lead to organ failure.
The need for diverse organ, eye, and tissue donors
Black Americans often face longer waiting times for organ transplants due to a limited pool of donors who share similar genetic markers, which are often crucial for successful matches. Expanding this pool isn’t just a medical necessity, it’s a matter of equity and hope for families across the nation.
Statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services paint a clear picture of the challenges:
- In 2020, only 17% of Black patients on the waiting list received an organ transplant compared to 30% of white patients.
- Black Americans make up approximately 13% of the U.S. population, but they account for more than 28% of those waiting for organ transplants.
- Black patients make up 35% of those with kidney failure in the U.S., a condition often requiring transplantation.
- 12% of organ donors in 2022 identified as Black.
These disparities underscore the importance of addressing systemic barriers, building trust in the healthcare system, and encouraging more Black individuals to register as organ donors.
Breaking barriers: why Black donors are essential
For many in the Black community, historical injustices in medicine have created mistrust in healthcare. Combating these fears requires transparent communication, community outreach, and education about the life-saving benefits of organ donation. Sharing stories like Dr. Brittany’s can highlight the transformative power of donation and inspire others to say “yes” to being a donor.
“To my donor family and Micah’s donor family, the first thing that comes to mind is ‘thank you,’” she said. “But those words aren’t big enough.”
“The true reaction is speechlessness, humility, and immense gratitude. They’ve allowed life to continue at one of the hardest times in their lives, without knowing who would benefit or when it would happen.”
Every registration increases the chances of finding a match for someone waiting—like Micah was.
“I think it’s important to keep talking about organ donation, whether you’re a recipient or a family member of someone who gave,” Dr. Brittany continued.
“The more we talk about it the more common it becomes and the easier it is to make organ donation a standard part of healthcare. So many people are waiting, but so many lives have been saved too, and we need to keep that conversation going.”
Taking action during Black History Month and beyond
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the resilience and contributions of Black communities—and it’s also an opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Organ donation is about more than saving lives, it’s about creating more moments to cherish like birthdays, graduations, and other important milestones. As Dr. Brittany puts it, “It’s those moments that make life what it is, and donation gives us moments we never would have had.”
You can help improve the chances for diverse communities by signing up for the donor registry and telling your family that you’re an organ donor. Equally important is to encourage more people of color to sign up as organ, eye and tissue donors. Your decision to register could be the life-saving gift that someone like Brittany and Micah were waiting for.
By changing the conversation around organ, eye and tissue donation across all ethnicities, you can help save and heal the lives of diverse communities and bring heightened awareness to the health disparities that exist for minorities during Black History Month and beyond.