Increasing African-American Living Kidney Donors

Abstract

This article endeavors to suggest that there may be a better chance of attenuating the gap between the supply and demand of kidney organs for African-American patients, by increasing the number of living donors. Among the multiple issues focused on are the contrasting dynamics between cadaver and living kidney donations with this population. The dual importance of adequate information and providing it in a face-to-face approach with African-American family members is also discussed. The final focus is on the strategic position of nephrology nurses and social workers, in potentially helping to increase the number of African-American living kidney donors.