With Your Help Many More Lives Can Be Saved

A few days ago, Debbie Delgado Vega, executive director of LOLA (Latino Organization for Liver Awareness), a communitarian organization that forms part of the Hispanic Federation, was explaining to me that our region is going through a serious situation on the matter of organ donation.

Debbie Delgado Vega is an expert on this issue due to personal and professional reasons. Personally, because it was a liver transplant what saved her fife some years ago and professionally, because she is entirely committed with educating our community on liver diseases and organ donation, and with providing support to those in wait of a compatible organ as well as those who want to do that supreme gesture of love toward his fellowman, which is giving a part of oneself so that another can live.

LOLA's executive director pointed out recent news articles to me on the violent descent of organ donors in our region during the past weeks. in recent years there has been a nationwide decrease of available organs. This is due, in part, to the diminishing rates of transit accidents and homicides. And the situation has complicated 'because advances in medical science have increased organ demand. Still, in spite of it all, the need of donated organs in the New York region Is serious and inexplicable.

The issue is of great importance to our community. LOLA indicates that Hispanics are three ,times more likely than non-Hispanic Whites and ,,one and a half times more than non-Hispanic ,Blacks to suffer end-stage kidney disease. In 'other terms, kidney disease that requires a patient to receive regular dialysis treatments in order to survive. Medical studies demonstrate that, In general, persons of determined ethnic groups are more genetically compatible with others of that same group. And even though as Latinos we are not a race, our different nationalities have similar characteristics. Which means that in order to save the lives of more Hispanics we need more Hispanic donors.

This topic is highly important and we will continue its discussion in another occasion. But I recommend those who need more information or who are interested in the possibility of their organs saving another Hispanic, to get in contact with LOLA immediately. The organization directed by Debbie Delgado Vega has a toll-free information number for this purpose: 1-888-367-LOLA.

As Debbie herself says, I waited almost three years before receiving my gift of life and know how agonizing the long wait can be. But it's for this same reason that I have dedicated my life to helping those in wait. To my Latino brothers, I exhort them to become donors. I have helped thousands of persons, but with your help we could help save many more lives.

- Lorraine Cortes Vazquez