41Today: National Minority Donor Awareness Week

MACON, Georgia (WMGT/41NBC) – National Minority Donor Awareness Week is observed annually from August 1 -7. The goal of this week is to create awareness of the need for more organ and tissue donors, especially among minorities.

Currently in Georgia, there are more than 5,000 people on the transplant waiting list. Of those on the list, 63 percent are African American according to United Network of Organ Sharing.

Kidneys are the most needed organ, and 67 percent of those listed for a kidney transplant in Georgia are African American.

Middle Georgia couple Gibran and Candice Stephens are sharing their story of organ donation with 41Today. In 2016, Gibran donated one of his kidneys to his wife, Candice, who suffered from type 1 diabetes since early childhood. In order to live she needed a life saving kidney transplant.

For more information on organ donation or to register to donate visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org or call 800-544-6667.