Ethnicity of organ donors

[mrs_overall]

I've been reading the statistics for kidney transplants (my sister is waiting for one.) In 2006 for example, in the UK there were no Chinese donors, 6 Asian donors and 1 black donor. In the same year 6 Chinese, 114 Asians and 64 black people received donated kidneys in the UK. My question is this - why are so few non whites registering as organ donors? Please note, this is not a racist thread and I don't want any racist comments.

[daffy654]

In many cases it will be because of religious or cultural differences. Many religions believe that the body must be whole when buried/cremated so they can return in another incarnation.

[mrs_overall]

Ok, I can understand that. It just seems one sided that they are happy to receive transplants but not donate.

[jake-the-peg]

There aren't enough people full stop.

I've seen a lot of people on this site come up with the old chestnuts "they might not wait unil I was dead" or "They might not try hard enough to save me"

Maybe there's less trust in the doctors.

By the way if you're reading this now ( whatever your ethnicity) please please sign up

http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/how_to_beco me_a_donor/registration/consent.jsp

2 minutes on line and the card will come in the post

[mrs_overall]

Well done for the link jake. xx