Cultural & Religious Perspectives

Cultural Perspectives

Donate Life Arizona is dedicated to reaching out to all cultures in Arizona because organ, eye and tissue donations are needed in every ethnic group. DNA works directly with all minority groups within Arizona, including African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans, to educate them on the importance of donation in their populations.

For many minority groups, this knowledge is crucial since they are often deeply affected by diseases that can lead to the need for transplantation. For example, Hispanics and other minority groups are three times more likely to suffer from end-stage renal disease than Caucasians.

Successful transplantation often is enhanced by the matching of organs between members of the same ethnic and racial group. For example, any patient is less likely to reject a kidney if it is donated by an individual who is genetically similar. Generally, people are genetically more similar to people of their own ethnicity or race than to people of other races. Cross-racial donations can and do happen with great success. However, a shortage of organs donated by minorities can contribute to death and longer waiting periods for transplants for minorities.

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Religious Perspectives

Major religious or spiritual groups are not opposed to organ, eye and tissue donation as a gift of life to a fellow human being. Specific beliefs differ between denominations, but the common theme is that organ, eye and tissue donation is one of the highest forms of love and support for those in need.

Donor Network of Arizona encourages houses of worship to spread the message about organ, eye and tissue donation. National Donor Sabbath, which occurs yearly in November, is a specific time set aside to celebrate life and renew religious support for organ and tissue donation.

Click here for more information on how specific religions view organ, eye and tissue donation.