LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB-TV)--It is a gesture that could save thousands of lives. However, the number of people willing to help is declining. Right now, the number of minorities on the transplants waiting list is up while the number of them signing up to become donors is down.
That's why Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates is using this week to raise awareness.
"Just was in and out of the hospital for weeks...trying to find out what was going on," says Richard Moore, who needs a kidney transplant.
A few years ago a trip to the hospital changed Moore's life forever. "And that's when I was diagnosed at Jewish that I had renal failure."
That's also when he learned he'd have to go on dialysis at the University Kidney Center.
"I'm on dialysis on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays three days a week for a week for three hours and 15 minutes." And the only thing that will change that is a kidney transplant.
Moore says, "I'm doing all of the work up that comes with getting a transplant."
Unfortunately for Moore, the number of people already on the waiting list has grown to nearly 115-thousand nationally. And more than half of which are minorities.
"Because of the lack of available organs he is going to wait twice as long," says Amber McGuire, Minority Education Coordinator with Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates.
McGuire she says the problem is becoming critical. "A lot of times patients who are in need of transplants will die because they won't get their transplants soon enough."
A quilt hanging in KODA's office is covered with the names and faces of people who have donated life. The only problem is none of them are people of color.
"It's best that organs of the same race and ethnicity are transplanted between one another because of genetics...but often times organs are transplanted outside the race and gender."
McGuire says one person can save up to 50 lives. She says,"Or one person to have that power to be able to save 50 lives is something that each of us can do."
"It's very frustrating," says Moore.
Moore is frustrated but hopeful. He says,"All I want is a chance to live...a healthy life."
McGuire says the numbers in Kentucky match what's going on nationally.
