A second chance at life: The impact of the Indiana Donor Network

August is National Minority Donor Awareness Month, a critical time highlighting the urgent need for organ donors from diverse backgrounds. In Indiana, the Indiana Donor Network (IDN) is leading the charge to increase awareness and encourage members of minority communities to consider the life-saving gift of organ donation. Edna Simms’ son, Marvin Wilkerson, tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 36. Simms shared how Wilkerson advocated for organ and tissue donation until his final breath. “We did a lot of talking about becoming a donor before Marvin died,” Simms said. Wilkerson told his mother that if he died, he wanted to be a donor. “Mom, anything they can use, anything,” Simms quoted what her son said regarding his final wishes. (Photo/Getty Images) IDN president and CEO Kellie Tremain said that the altruistic nature of donorship from people like Wilkerson is a necessity. “The selflessness and generosity of organ and tissue donors and their families gives patients in need of a transplant a second chance at life,” Tremain said. Tremain said that this is their eighth year executing high performance commitment to donors. “We are dedicated to saving lives.” The stark reality is that the demand for organ...