Only 1% of BAME Londoners on organ donor register

A survey published by the London Assembly Health Committee looking at attitudes towards organ donation within the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, has revealed that a mere 1% of BAME Londoners are on the organ donor register.

This is against the backdrop of the fact that according to National Health Service (NHS) figures, 62% of Londoners waiting for an organ transplant are either Black or Asian.

Many people from BAME communities are more likely to develop conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes which means they’re more likely to need an organ transplant.

The report also revealed that of BAME Londoners surveyed: 42% are not willing to donate organs - with many citing cultural or religious reasons. The survey also revealed that Bangladeshis and Black Africans are the least unwilling demographic to donate.

In order to raise awareness of organ donation within BAME communities, the London Assembly Health Committee hosted the BAME Organ Donor Gala at City Hall.

The event featured musical and poetic performances as well as touching stories from living donors, donor recipients and families of deceased donors.

Guests and performers in attendance included: Businessman Levi Roots - #BAMEDonor supporter; Actor and Comedian Richard Blackwood; Olympic Gold medallist - Tessa Sanderson CBE; TV Presenter AJ Odudu; 2018 X Factor Finalist - Armstrong Martins; Britain’s Got Talent 2018 Finalists - B Positive Choir; Actor and musician Lonyo - who had a double kidney transplant; and Orin Lews OBE, Co-founder of the African & Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT).