Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program

The 26^th annual MOTTEP Life Walk/Run on Belle Isle in Detroit is happening Saturday, July 22.  MOTTEP stands for the Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program, and their mission is “To decrease the number and rate of ethnic minority Americans needing organ and tissue transplants.”

I have participated in the Life Walk on several occasions, raising funds to support their outreach programs.  This year, as in other years, the walk will take place on beautiful Belle Isle in the Detroit River.  To learn more about the Life Walk, and participate if you wish, click this link:  MOTTEP LIfeWalk

Per the MOTTEP website: “LIFE Walk/Run is an easy and fun way to get involved and make a difference in saving lives.  You can participate as an individual, team, church, sorority, fraternity, or business. Join us and register today to participate in the 26th Annual LIFE Walk/Run.  A 5K Walk and 5K, 10K Run.”

You may be wondering why there is a program specifically for the minority community, and the information below comes directly from the MOTTEP website:

•  African American donors represented 3% of donors in 1982 and represent 17% of donors in 2010 (while making up 13% of the American population).
• Minorities were 15% of donors in 1991 but are now 32% of donors.
• African American increased from 8 organ donors per million in 1982 to 35 organ donors per million in 2010.
• ​African Americans represent 17% of donors but make up 32% of those waiting for a transplant.
• ​Minorities comprise 25% of the total population but make up more than 60% of those waiting for kidney transplants.
• ​African American and other minorities make up more than 60% of those on the waiting list.  Those on the waiting list may wait 5-10 years for a Deceased Donor kidney transplant.
• ​22 people die each day while waiting for a transplant. 60% are minorities.
• ​Diabetes and hypertension are the number 1 and 2 causes of kidney disease which is 3-4 times as common for Blacks and Latinos/Hispanics.
• ​Nearly 300,000 persons are on dialysis; 120,000 persons are on the national transplant waiting list and 30,000 transplants take place each year.

There are many barriers to receiving a life-saving transplant, and unfortunately, these barriers impact minority and low-income communities at a higher rate than other communities.  Transplants are expensive and require a good health insurance policy.  Transplant medications to maintain the organ once transplanted are expensive.  Hospitals which perform transplants may require travel to reach them, for both the original surgery and follow-up care.

Programs like MOTTEP are working to reduce and remove those barriers.  I encourage you to search for and support similar programs in your area.  And if you’re in the Detroit area, c’mon down to Belle Isle for a walk and support a good cause.