05/19/2023
Leimomi Mabanta, Waiting for a Kidney Transplant
Rhoda Mabanta's bracelets not only look beautiful, but they also hold a significant meaning behind them. Each color represents a different organ donation cause. The green bracelets are for kidney donors. As someone whose kidneys are only functioning at 11%, Mabanta has created bracelets with kidney awareness ribbons to raise awareness about the need for living donors.
Mabanta is currently in need of a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, people of color, who make up nearly 60% of those waiting for a transplant, have a lower likelihood of receiving one or even getting on a transplant list than white people. This racial disparity is a major concern for those performing the surgeries, such as Dr. Martin Cadeiras, director of UC Davis's heart failure program.
According to Cadeiras, a successful transplant can be aided by having a donor from a similar ethnic background as the recipient. However, people of color are less likely to be donors. This is why Cadeiras believes that more education is needed to be given to communities of color about the importance of organ donation.
UC Davis has been using targeted educational social media campaigns in areas of the state with higher populations of people of color to increase awareness about health and the need for donors. Mabanta is hoping to be accepted on the transplant list in four months and, until then, will continue to raise awareness about the need for donors.
*Story provided courtesy of Sierra Donor Services*
