Jesse White Urges More African Americans To Become Organ Donors
Jesse White Seeks More Organ Donors
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Secretary of State Jesse White said he's making a big push at African-American churches to boost the level of organ donations in Illinois.
WBBM Newsradio's John Cody reports White said African Americans account for 56 percent of those who need an organ transplant, but make up 32 percent of the donors.
White said research has revealed a deep level of mistrust.
"They will say that the organs will be sold, and here in this country of ours, we cannot sell organs," White said.
White says, while 5.2 million people are registered as organ and tissue donors in Illinois, 300 die each year because they can't get the organs they need.
He'd like to erase that statistic. His office has set up a new organ donation website, lifegoeson.com, where you can sign up and learn more about organ donations.
