Since March 2003, the Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) have been actively working to solve the number one problem in transplantation, the shortage of organ donors.

MOTTEP is the first local program of its kind designed to educate minority communities on facts about how disease prevention can aid in (1) decreasing the need for organ transplantation, (2) empowering minority communities to develop educational activities for health maintenance, and (3) becoming involved in addressing the shortage of organ donors through multiple community projects. Through MOTTEP’s efforts, African Americans and Hispanics in our service area will become aware of the need for a healthier lifestyle as well as more minority donors.

The Minority Organ & Tissue Transplant Education Program of Richmond has two major focuses. First, the practice of disease prevention within our communities would help relieve a portion of the health care crisis that is upon us in the area of chronic diseases and organ shortages. Second, the increased awareness among minorities of the dilemma concerning organ donations will lead to a larger donor pool.

Mission

• To reduce ethnic health disparities in End Stage Renal Disease
• To educate minority communities about the importance of organ and tissue donation and how to prevent these diseases that can lead to organ failure—namely Hypertension and Diabetes
• To reduce the number and rate of ethnic minorities needing organ transplants.  MOTTEP’s mission will be achieved by an ongoing educational campaign that emphasizes both prevention and intervention strategies that will result in:
• Telehealth Technology to increase access to affordable Health Care
• Healthier life styles and behavioral modifications
• Disease Prevention and Health Maintenance Increased health awareness Increased number of minority donor pledges/ donor cards signed