Native American Heritage Month: Uplifting Indigenous Voices In Donation and Transplantation

During Native American Heritage Month, we reflect, celebrate, and recommit to uplifting Indigenous voices across the donation and healthcare landscape. Together, we weave the past, present, and future into a stronger, more inclusive system. Within the donation and transplantation ecosystem, Native communities have long demonstrated a spirit of giving, resilience, and strength, yet they continue to face disparities in access to healthcare and transplantation.

We also raise awareness about the pressing need for organ, eye and tissue donors within Native American communities. Native Americans and Alaska Natives currently make up approximately 2% of the U.S. population, with over 900 American Indians/Alaska Natives on the national organ transplant waiting list. Organ, eye and tissue donation is one powerful way to extend a spirit of giving and community care.

This month, we highlight the contributions of Native American donors and donor families whose selfless gifts have saved countless lives.

Living Donor, Sabrina Wero

Sabrina Wero of the Diné, is no stranger to the lifesaving impact of donation as both a living donor and a donor family member. When she was 27 years old, Sabrina donated a kidney to her father, who had been living with kidney failure and was on dialysis for seven years. Her selfless gift gave him 10 more years to spend with his loved ones.

When I gave my father my kidney, it made our family stronger.

~Sabrina Wero

Heart Recipient, Renee Roybal

Renee Royal of the San Ildefonso Pueblo was 40 years old when she began experiencing heart problems, which were later diagnosed as being from an enlarged heart. Although doctors gave her an implanted defibrillator to restore a normal heartbeat, Renee experienced severe side effects and saw no signs of improvement over the next three years. Her final option was to get placed on the transplant waiting list for a new heart.

After seven months of waiting, doctors told Renee they found a match from an 11-year-old girl. Thanks to the selfless decision of this young woman and her parents, Renee was given a second chance at life.

Since her transplant, Renee has seen her two daughters get married and welcome several grandchildren into the world.

She continues to spend her time sharing her experience in the hope of inspiring others to consider donation and transplantation.

Double Lung Recipient, Alanna Tootoosis-Baker

Alanna Tootoosis-Baker is a two-time double lung recipient, having received the gift of life in 2014 and 2019. With each transplant, she received countless more opportunities to dance, enjoy time with her family, and celebrate the legacies of her two donor heroes who made it all possible.

The creator gifts you with something. The doctor was gifted with an idea of how to do a transplant… If I can help somebody, I think that is my purpose here too. 

~Alanna Tootoosis

Save lives as an organ, eye and tissue donor at registerme.org.