DETROIT – April is Donate Life Month, an opportunity to educate everyone about the importance of the gift of life.
One critical area of education that transplant specialists focus on is an improved understanding within minority communities of the value of organ transplants. Dr. Jason Denny, a transplant surgeon at Henry Ford Health, takes his role as an African-American transplant surgeon very seriously. Specifically, he believes being a minority is helpful in outreach to minority communities.
“I help all patients; however, I go where the need is,” Dr. Denny said. “I’ve been here since 2005, and I tell people I’ve been in every small church, large church, and community center from here to the U.P.”
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Dr. Denny is also a former chairperson of MOTTEP, the Minority Organ, Tissue Transplant Education Program.
“MOTTEP has been there every step of the way to help lead people through the difficult process of trying to understand what’s happening,” said Dr. Denny.
One of MOTTEP’s missions is to break down myths that surround organ transplants. For example, many people believe that if someone designates themselves as an organ donor, healthcare providers will not work as hard to save their lives. However, doctors and Dr. Denny tell them, “Typically no one even knows anything about your organ donation status; you come in, and you’re a patient.”
He also tries to encourage people to join the donor registry with a simple argument: “If you would ever consider receiving a kidney, you might consider donating a kidney.”
Dr. Denny also spends time talking to community groups about the importance of preventative medicine, controlling high blood pressure and diabetes, the leading contributors to kidney failure, particularly in the African-American community. While he has seen greater acceptance of organ donation in the minority community over his career, he believes there is still much work to be done, particularly encouraging people to join the registry.
As he says, “nobody would have to wait if everybody decided to donate.”
Read: How do I sign up to become an organ and tissue donor?
People can register to donate organs, tissue and eyes at the end of their life to someone in need of a transplant. They can also explore a “living donation” -- or giving a kidney or part of their liver to someone in need while both individuals are living.
Michiganders can enroll using the Online Michigan Organ Donor Registry or sign up for organ donation when renewing or requesting a replacement license or state ID card.
Gift of Life Michigan, an organization that facilitates organ and tissue donations, works with the Michigan Secretary of State to grow and maintain the registry, you can click here to learn more and to sign up to become a donor.