There is a reason that many African Americans do not become organ and tissue donors-lack of information about the donation process. In fact, many African Americans in Arkansas have indicated that they would likely become donors once they have learned more of the facts about organ and tissue donation.

African Americans comprise only 12 percent of the population in America. Yet, of all people waiting for kidney transplants in this country, 35 percent are African American, with more names being added to that list every 13 minutes. African Americans and other ethnic minorities are three times more likely to suffer from end-stage renal disease than Whites. And many diseases of the kidney, heart, lung, pancreas and liver occur more frequently in racial and ethnic minorities than in the general population. These diseases can lead to the need for an organ transplant.

Get the facts about organ and tissue donation by clicking the link below. Read the stories of African Americans whose lives were saved through organ donation. And then register to become a donor.

If you would like for an ARORA representative to come to your church, fraternity or sorority meeting, civic or social group or any other organization to speak about organ and tissue donation, call us at 501-907-9150 or 1-866-660-5433.

Become an organ donor-Give hope.

Click download to listen to a message about the need for African Americans to register to become organ and tissue donors. (Download MP3 - 1.17MB)

A'driaunna's Story

This is A'driaunna Terrin-Miranda Jones.

She was born on July 24, 1997. She seemed a little smaller than normal, and she was born with a slight heart murmur. But other than that, everything seemed perfectly normal. The doctors and nurses examined her thoroughly, just as they would with any other newborn. It was during this first examination that her pediatrician discovered that baby A'driaunna was born with an underdeveloped heart.

She was immediately transferred to Arkansas Children's Hospital where she was placed in the neonatal intensive care unit. Her parents were told that she needed a heart transplant, and she was placed on the waiting list.

Five months later, her parents, Stephanie and Terry Jones were thrilled to take their baby home. A'driaunna was healthy, happy-and the recipient of a new heart.

About one-fourth of infants born with an underdeveloped heart die while waiting for a transplant. Organ donation is the only hope for these children, as well as many adults with nonfunctioning or diseased organs.

This story could have had quite a different outcome. But another family chose to turn the loss of their baby into a life-saving act for A'driaunna Jones.

This is A'driaunna today.