Black History Month: Raising Awareness About Minority Organ Tissue Donation Program

DETROIT (WWJ) - Out of a desire to help and heal others, Remonia Chapman, Program Director of the Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) with Gift of Life Michigan is bringing awareness about the the growing need for minority organ donors.

Chapman wanted to be a physician, but chose a different path 17-years ago when she started at MOTTEP.

Back then the organ donation rate in the minority community was about 10 percent and today it's 25 percent. Chapman says even though they're very proud of that, the need rate is near 50 percent.

Last year Chapman launched MOTTEP's Angel's for Life Campaign that uses faith and business leaders to encourage minorities especially African Americans-- to sign up for the Michigan Organ Donor registry. She says the work is life changing.

"Death is a mystery none of us have a complete answer on, but yet and still in this mystery that we know is death, something still miraculous happens and in death we see life," said Chapman.

WWJ Newsradio 950 celebrates Black History Month by recognizing our local young African-American professionals and their heroes – you can hear these reports throughout the day: 6:20 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 3:40 p.m., 7:40 p.m.