Honoring Donors, Recipients and Supporters During Hispanic Heritage Month
In the month of September, we begin honoring Hispanic Heritage Month, a national celebration that recognizes the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanics and Latinos in the United States. From September 15 to October 15, communities, organizations, and businesses nationwide host events to highlight and celebrate this heritage
The need for lifesaving organ transplants affects all communities regardless of race, ethnicity, age, or sex; however, when it comes to race, there is an even greater need for organ transplants among diverse communities. Transplants rely on the generosity of organ and tissue donors, and there is a need for more people of color to sign up as organ, eye, and tissue donors in our region and in our country.
The national theme for Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S. for 2026 is “Unidos, Somos Más” (“Together, We Are More”), selected by the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM). This theme emphasizes unity, shared cultural roots, intergenerational legacy, and collective leadership within Hispanic and Latine communities.
Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month: The History and Significance
Hispanic Heritage Month, officially established in the United States in 1988, aligns with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries. It honors the countless contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities—from civil rights leaders like César Chávez to cultural icons such as Selena Quintanilla. Beyond celebration, its purpose is to spread awareness, appreciation, and unity by highlighting the rich diversity of Hispanic and Latinx cultures, promoting inclusivity, and recognizing their profound impact on American society.
That’s why celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month carries such significance. It offers a moment to acknowledge and honor the invaluable contributions and vibrant cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans. It’s a time to champion diversity, strengthen community bonds, and spotlight the remarkable heritage and achievements that continue to shape the American story.
The Importance of Organ Donation within the Hispanic Community
The importance of organ donation within the Hispanic community cannot be overstated. It is crucial to educate the community about the urgent need for organ and tissue donation, as Hispanics are disproportionately affected by the scarcity of available organs for transplant. In Colorado and Wyoming, the demand for organ transplants among Hispanic individuals is on the rise, with a growing number of people waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. Nearly 103,000 people across the United States are on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant. More than 24,000 of those people are from Hispanic communities.
So far in 2026, 1,485 donors from these communities have given the ultimate gift of life through organ, eye and tissue donation. There are also over 26,000 people from the Hispanic/Latino community currently on the national transplant waitlist.
Advocating for increased donor registration among Hispanics is essential to address this disparity to save and heal more lives. Organizations like Donor Alliance, a nonprofit that saves and heals lives through organ and tissue donation for transplantation in Colorado and most of Wyoming, play a pivotal role in raising awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation. It highlights the significance of community engagement and support to meet the pressing needs of the Hispanic population and ensure access to lifesaving transplants.
Donor Alliance: Honoring Organ and Tissue Donors, Celebrating Lives Saved, and Recognizing Those Who Wait from Hispanic Communities.
As Donor Alliance honors Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to highlight a few local stories about donation and transplantation.
Adilem, Liver Recipient. Colorado Springs
Jaime, Cornea Recipient. Aurora Colorado
Aris & his son Dominic. Supporters in Colorado
MEET GUADALUPE, A RECIPIENT FROM CASPER, WY
Guadalupe was born in Lima, Peru; in 2010, she moved to Casper, Wyoming. Guadalupe went for a routine examination when her medical team discovered her kidney function was abnormal. Guadalupe learned she had stage three chronic kidney disease due to genetics and would need a kidney transplant to save her life. Read more about Guadalupe’s transplant journey here.
Donation Essentials Blog
Understanding the Impact of Race on Organ Transplantation
More than 1,300 people in Colorado and Wyoming are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant right now, a need that disproportionately affects communities of color. That gap raises a question: does race actually matter when it comes to organ transplants?
Short answer: Organ transplant candidates are never matched based on race or ethnicity, and people of different ethnicities frequently are matched successfully. However, transplant matches made within the same ethnic group can sometimes be more compatible. That’s why growing the pool of registered donors across every community, saves and heals more lives.
Here in Colorado and Wyoming, nearly 1,300 people are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. While the need for transplants touches people across all communities, almost 50% of those on the waiting list belong to communities of color.
What Is National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month?
National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month aims to raise awareness of organ, eye, and tissue donation across all ethnicities, as just one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save or heal more than 75. In addition to raising awareness, it also aims to encourage donor registration and family conversations about donation as well as promote healthy living and disease prevention to reduce the need for transplants.
If Organs Aren’t Matched by Race, Why Do Same-Ethnicity Matches Work Better?
The reason is the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). HLA antigens are proteins that most cells in our bodies contain. Our parents pass down these antigens as a unique set, regulating the immune system. HLA matching matters most for kidney transplants, the organ most needed by African American and Black patients, because HLA antigens tend to match less closely between Caucasian and African American candidates than they do within the same group.
Studies have shown that certain ethnicities face a higher risk of adverse outcomes, such as lower rates of organ transplantation and higher mortality rates post-transplant, which highlights systemic issues requiring equitable access to life-saving treatments for all patients, regardless of their racial background.
When it comes to kidney matching, which is the organ most needed by African American and Black patients, HLA plays a big role. This is due to HLA antigens not matching as well between Caucasian and African American candidates. Currently, African Americans make up more than 1/3 of the kidney transplant waiting list nationally, yet only around 13% of the general population. This creates a smaller pool of potential donor organs from African American donors, leading to African American transplant candidates relying on organs that do not match as well or having to wait longer for a more suitable match.
What’s Driving Transplant Disparities Between Racial Groups?
Several factors contribute to unequal transplant outcomes across racial and ethnic groups:
· Socioeconomic barriers: limited access to healthcare and unequal distribution of medical resources
· Genetic and immune-response differences: variation in HLA compatibility and immune response across groups
· Donor pool imbalance: communities that are underrepresented on the donor registry produce fewer matches
Understanding these factors is the first step toward policies and interventions that make transplant access more equitable for everyone.
Does Registering as a Donor Actually Help Close This Gap?
Yes. Because HLA compatibility improves the odds of a strong match within a community, growing the number of registered donors within underrepresented communities directly improves outcomes for patients waiting in those same communities.
This doesn’t mean donation is limited by race. Organ, eye, and tissue donation crosses every racial and ethnic line. It means a more diverse registry gives every patient, regardless of background, a better chance at a compatible match.
The importance of diverse communities registering as organ donors cannot be overstated. The need for lifesaving organ transplants affects people of all races, ethnicities, and ages. Organ transplantation knows no racial or ethnic boundaries; each donor can save and heal numerous lives. Embracing solidarity in organ donation bridges disparities and ensures a fair chance for every patient. A diverse and compassionate community makes a difference, an inclusive endeavor with no boundaries.
How Can I Get Involved This National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month?
If you’re already a registered donor, take a moment this month to talk with your loved ones about your decision. If you haven’t registered yet, National Multiethnic Donor Awareness Month is a good moment to do so.
One decision can save and heal dozens of lives.
Thank you for your support of organ, eye and tissue donation. If you haven’t registered yet, register in Colorado or Wyoming today.
Help us cheer on the CSU Rams as they take on the Boise State Broncos on Saturday, November 7! Stop by our Donate Life table to grab some CSU Donate Life Colorado swag and learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation. The game will also feature special Donate Life recognition and opportunities to learn more about the impact of donation and transplantation.
Purchase tickets: Football vs. Boise State | Colorado State University
The Jeffco 10th Grade Career Expo connects high school students with local organizations and professionals to explore career opportunities and learn about different industries. Donor Alliance will be there to introduce students to our mission, share information about organ and tissue donation, and highlight career opportunities in healthcare and related fields.
Find more event details here.
Join us at our Donate Life game on September 14th at Coors Field as we cheer on the Rockies and raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation!
Buy Tickets Here!
Donor Alliance will join educators, industry leaders, and community partners at the CTE Innovation Hubs Industry Summit in Aurora. The summit brings together professionals to explore opportunities for collaboration and workforce development within Career and Technical Education (CTE). Donor Alliance will be on hand to introduce students to careers in healthcare and transplantation, share information about organ and tissue donation, and connect with the next generation of healthcare professionals.
