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Linda Kimble - Executive Director of Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program. (Mottep) Cleveland
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Statistics Impacting Organ Donation and Transplantation (Latest U.S. Data Available – 2025)

The United States reached a record 49,064 organ transplants in 2025, the fifth consecutive year of record-setting transplant activity. Despite this progress, more than 100,000 Americans remain on the national transplant waiting list, highlighting the continuing need for organ donors. (UNOS)

National Organ Donation & Transplantation Snapshot

Category2025 Statistic
People waiting for an organ transplant108,440
Total organ transplants performed49,064
Living organ donors7,237
Total donors recovered19,808
Kidney transplant candidates94,015
Liver transplant candidates9,022
Heart transplant candidates3,929
Lung transplant candidates977
Black/African American candidates on waiting list29,047
Hispanic/Latino candidates on waiting list25,500
Asian American candidates on waiting list8,791

Sources: OPTN/HRSA, UNOS, HHS Office of Minority Health. (HRSA)

Waiting List by Organ Type

Key Facts for Presentations and Reports

  • More than 108,000 people are waiting for a life-saving transplant in the United States. (HRSA)

  • A new transplant is performed approximately every 11 minutes nationwide based on 2025 totals. (UNOS)

  • Over 90,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant, making kidneys the most needed organ. (UNOS)

  • Black Americans represent approximately 27% of all transplant candidates while accounting for about 13% of organ donors, demonstrating a continuing disparity in donation and need. (Office of Minority Health)

  • Hispanic/Latino Americans account for nearly 24% of transplant candidates but only about 15% of organ donors. (Office of Minority Health)

  • Asian Americans represent about 8% of transplant candidates but only about 3% of organ donors. (Office of Minority Health)

  • Living donation increased to 7,237 donors in 2025, a 3% increase from the previous year. (UNOS)

Why Minority Organ Donation Matters

Minority populations experience higher rates of conditions that can lead to organ failure, including diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease. Increasing donor registration within diverse communities helps improve the chances of finding compatible matches and reduces disparities in transplantation outcomes. (Office of Minority Health)

This data is suitable for use in presentations, educational materials, and observances such as National Minority Health Month and organ donation awareness programs.

U.S. Organ Transplant Waiting List (2025)

Number of candidates awaiting transplant by organ type.

organcandidates
Kidney94,015
Liver9,022
Heart3,929
Kidney/Pancreas2,351
Lung977
Pancreas814
Intestine164

The Importance of Minority Organ Donation

Organ donation is one of the most powerful gifts a person can give. For many patients suffering from kidney failure, heart disease, liver disease, or other life-threatening conditions, a transplant is their best chance for survival. However, the demand for organs far exceeds the supply, and this shortage disproportionately affects minority communities.

While organ recipients and donors do not need to be the same race or ethnicity, genetic similarities can increase the likelihood of finding compatible tissue markers. As a result, increasing organ donation within minority populations can improve matching opportunities, reduce waiting times, and save more lives. (Office of Minority Health)

Minority populations also experience higher rates of chronic diseases that can lead to organ failure. African Americans are disproportionately affected by kidney disease, hypertension, and diabetes, while Hispanic/Latino communities experience elevated rates of diabetes and end-stage renal disease. These health disparities contribute to a greater need for organ transplantation within these populations. (Office of Minority Health)

Why the Need Is Urgent

  • More than 107,000 Americans are currently waiting for an organ transplant. (Office of Minority Health)

  • African Americans represent approximately 27% of the national transplant waiting list but only about 13% of organ donors. (Office of Minority Health)

  • Hispanic/Latino Americans account for nearly 24% of transplant candidates but only 15% of organ donors. (Office of Minority Health)

  • Asian Americans comprise about 8% of transplant candidates but only 3% of organ donors. (Office of Minority Health)

These disparities highlight the critical need for greater awareness, education, and donor registration efforts in minority communities.

Chart 1: Minority Representation on the Waiting List vs. Organ Donors (2025)

Black/African American
Waiting List  | ███████████████████████████ 27%
Donors        | █████████████ 13%

Hispanic/Latino
Waiting List  | ████████████████████████ 24%
Donors        | ███████████████ 15%

Asian American
Waiting List  | ████████ 8%
Donors        | ███ 3%

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health. (Office of Minority Health)

Chart 2: Organ Donation Gap by Minority Population

Percentage Point Gap
(Between Waiting List Need and Donor Participation)

Black/African American  ██████████████ 14%

Hispanic/Latino         █████████ 9%

Asian American          █████ 5%

Source: Office of Minority Health transplant statistics, 2025. (Office of Minority Health)

Key Message

Every registered donor has the potential to save up to eight lives and enhance dozens more through tissue donation. Increasing organ donation among African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, Native American, and other minority populations can help address long-standing health disparities, improve transplant matching, and provide hope to thousands of families waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Through education, community engagement, and donor registration, minority communities can play a vital role in reducing the organ shortage and improving health outcomes for future generations. (Office of Minority Health)

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