HBCU SODA Organ Donation Advocacy Scholarship

About the Scholarship

Richie's Spirit Foundation is committed to promoting organ donation to people of all ages through education awareness programs, which is why we are proud to support our friends at Student Organ Donation Advocate (SODA) with their expansion to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to close the gap between the number of Black patients on the transplant waiting list and the number of Black organ donors within the United States.

Award recipients will demonstrate a zest for making a difference and a passion for organ donation. All students who apply for this scholarship will be encouraged to become further involved with organ and tissue donation advocacy at their university.

Staggering disparities in health outcomes by racial/ethnic group remain a huge problem in the United States. People of color experience higher rates of chronic disease and premature death. Black patients represent a disproportionately large percent of the organ transplant waiting list, resulting in a troubling gap between Black patients in need of an organ donation, and Black organ donors. There is no doubt that this health inequity is yet another product of historic and current systemic racism in the United States.

Organ donation matches are determined by many factors, including tissue markers and blood type compatibilities. Matches are, therefore, more likely to be found among members of the same ethnicity. So, while matches are not coordinated based on race/ethnicity, and matches across racial/ethnic lines are common, it is necessary to enhance donor diversity to better ensure as many waiting list members receive a life-saving transplant as soon as possible.

Richie's Spirit Foundation has supported students in their pursuit of higher education for over a decade. Through partnership with SODA's HBCU Organ Donation Advocacy Scholarship Richie's Spirit Foundation will not only provide financial assistance to remarkable scholars, we will also bolster passionate organ donation advocates, who strive to make a difference in their communities and to address the systemic inequities experienced by people of color in our healthcare system.

Application Process

The 2021 Scholarship Application is closed. Check back here for information on the 2022 scholarship.

To learn more about the scholarship and the application process visit www.sodanational.org/hbcu or contact info@richiesspirit.org

Thank you to our supporters, to SODA National for their leadership, and to our partners in the HBCU Organ Donation Advocacy Scholarship - Hearts for Emma, Hearts for Russ, and the Laura Miller Memorial Fund.