Honoring the Gift of Life – National Minority Donor Awareness Month

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August is National Minority Donor Awareness Month, and the August is National Minority Donor Awareness Month, and the Health & Wellness Ministry of Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church is joining Tennessee Donor Services in recognizing the life-changing power of organ, eye, and tissue donation. This month, we honor the diverse donors and families who have given the ultimate gift—and raise awareness about the urgent need within multicultural communities.

Across the U.S., 60% of people waiting for an organ transplant come from multicultural backgrounds, with 28% identifying as Black. In Tennessee, that number rises to 45%. African Americans are three times more likely than white Americans to experience end-stage kidney disease—often caused by diabetes or high blood pressure—and many will need a transplant to survive.

Because transplant outcomes improve when organs are matched within the same ethnic group, increasing donor registrations in our communities is essential to saving lives.

Dr. Willie Mae Hubbard, a member of OKMBC, knows this firsthand. “My ‘gift of life’ has given me a new lease on life, and I am determined to make the most of this precious gift,” she says. “I will cherish every moment, strive to make a positive difference, and always remember the incredible generosity that made this possible.”

For Lydia Murphy, the story is one of both loss and hope. Her son Tyree passed away unexpectedly eight years ago. “My comfort comes from knowing that Tyree was given life in 1995 to become a donor hero in 2017. God allowed Tyree to be healthy enough to donate all his organs, which subsequently saved six lives,” she shares.

The decision to become a donor is deeply personal—but it’s also a profound act of love and kindness that can ripple across generations. A single “yes” can bring hope and healing to someone in need.

? Take Action:
Talk with your family about your wishes. Learn more or register your decision at BeTheGiftToday.com.to be healthy enough to donate all his organs, which subsequently saved six lives,” she shares.

The decision to become a donor is deeply personal—but it’s also a profound act of love and kindness that can ripple across generations. A single “yes” can bring hope and healing to someone in need.

? Take Action:
Talk with your family about your wishes. Learn more or register your decision at BeTheGiftToday.com.