Latino Leaders and New York Organ Donor Network Create Unprecedented Partnership to Address Critical Organ and Tissue Donation Crisis in New York Metropolitan Area – November 17, 2003

New York -- The New York Organ Donor Network announced today an unprecedented partnership with six leading Latino organizations to increase donor awareness and address the critically low consent and donation rate in the New York metropolitan area.

The alliance was formed between the New York Organ Donor Network, Hispanic Federation, Inc., Latino Organization for Liver Awareness (LOLA), Association of Hispanic Healthcare Executives (AHHE), 100 Hispanic Women, Inc., National Association of Hispanic Nurses, NY Chapter, and the Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly.  These organizations will reach thousands of constituents of health care executives, human service providers, community, civic and corporate leaders through increased education and grassroots programs.

Julia Rivera, Director of Communications of the Donor Network, focused on the critical need to increase public awareness about organ and tissue donation as well as the impact this unprecedented partnership will have on the lives of New Yorkers.  “Through the leadership of these organizations, we will reach thousands of Latinos and educate them about the importance of organ donation. With more awareness and understanding, there is a greater willingness to donate, and with more donation we will save more lives.”

Of the more than 83,000 persons of all ethnicities waiting for transplants, more than 7,000 of them live in New York Organ Donor Network's service area.  One out of two Latino families say no to consent.  Families asked about donation do not consent mainly because they are unaware of their loved one's wishes or they have misinformation about donation.

Debbie Delgado-Vega, Founder/CEO of LOLA, spoke about her personal story as a Latina liver recipient.  “As I desperately waited for a liver, I found that there was no Spanish language literature available to educate myself or my family about transplantation.  Through this partnership we will encourage more people to sign the donor registry and save even more lives.”

George Zeppenfeldt-Cestero, President, AHHE, spoke about the partnership with the corporate community and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.  “We plan to provide increased education and heightened awareness in the Hispanic community through community outreach and informational sessions with our members.  It is imperative that Latinos in the New York metropolitan area hear the message, and talk to their friends and family about their decision to, Donate Life.”

Nationwide, there have been a total of 8,800 organ donors in 2003. Of that number, 1,160 of them were Hispanic. In New York State , the total number of donors in 2003 is 567 (all ethnicities) and 120 of them are Hispanic.

For more information, contact Martin Woolf, 212-870-3960 or mwoolf@nyodn.org