By Shirley Brill – The inaugural Treat-A-Ween event hosted by Educating Minorities About Transplants, Inc. (EMAT) non profit was held on Halloween Eve on Palmdale St. on the Northside. Each month EMAT members are out and about in the community educating and spreading awareness about the importance of organ donation and transplants. One goal of the organization is to eliminate myths and misconceptions associated with organ donation and replace them with facts in an effort to save the lives of individuals waiting on the ‘gift of life.” During the Treat-A-Ween event , children received free candy bags and played fun outside games in the kid zone while parents patronized vendors.
At the EMAT table, transplant recipients, caregivers, living donors, donor and recipient family members shared information about how the ‘Gift of Life’ has affected their lives. According to statistics there are 113,00 people awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant and 83% of patients waiting are in need of a kidney; 3-5 years is the average waiting time for a kidney from a deceased donors.
EMAT also asked the questions: Do you know someone on dialysis? Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for many people with end-stage kidney disease. A successful kidney transplant can improve your quality of life and reduce your risk of dying. In addition, people who undergo kidney transplantation do not require hours of dialysis treatment.
Next up for EMAT is their December FLASHDRIVE/FUNDRAISER community event “Christmas Ornament Exchange,” scheduled for Saturday, December 4th, 12-3:30 p.m. at 2103 Grand Street (bring an ornament to exchange with a special person you meet throughout the day). On the agenda is a healthy cooking class, medical tips for healthy living, vendors, food fun, bouncy house and the opportunity to learn more about the “Gift of Life.”
- The Gift of Life Donor Program is the nation’s leading organ procurement organization coordinating more organ and tissue donors than anywhere else in the United States. Take a look at our extensive history of saving lives.
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