News and Announcements

Service To Stress Critical Organ Donation Need Among Blacks

PRESS ROOM

METROPOLITAN AME CHURCH
1518 M St. NW
Washington, DC 20005

November 5, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Anthony Hawkins
Phone: 202-331-1426

On Sunday, November 14, Metropolitan A.M.E. Church will observe National Donor Sabbath in a worship service designed to focus on and demystify organ and tissue donation and emphasize their critical need in the
African American community. The church, known as the Cathedral of African Methodism, is located at 1518 M St., NW.

“Our Savior Jesus Christ is quoted as saying, ‘I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly..’ said the Rev. Ronald E. Braxton, senior pastor, who will preach at the service.  “The donation of healthy organs is an opportunity to enhance and make more abundant the life of another.” 

The Prince George’s County chapter of The Links, Incorporated is partnering with the church in this observance as part of their “Linkages to Life” activity.  Metropolitan members Dr. Flavia Walton and her husband,  Col. (USAF Ret.) William Walton will share their experience as participants in a 14-pair kidney exchange last summer that involved 28 persons.

Representatives from Medstar Health Transplant Centers at several area hospitals and Howard University’s Minority Organ and Tissue Transplantation Program are expected to participate and information for screening will be provided.  Angled parking is available on M Street between 15th and 16th and free garage parking is available in the National Education Association garage directly across from the church  and in the PMI Lot on M St. on the right between 16th and 17th Streets. 

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Bill and Flavia Walton in Worship at Metropolitan AME

Metropolitan member Bill Walton has suffered with kidney disease for eight years. His wife, Steward Flavia Walton was not a compatible donor. This summer the “Waltons were part of the world’s largest kidney swap to date, sponsored by Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University Hospital. It involved a complex chain of 28 surgeries at four different hospitals. ”

The Walton’s hope to encourage more African Americans to donate organs since the majority of patients who need transplants are non-white. Say’s Flavia Walton, “ If God could give his son for me, or for us, I could certainly give a kidney to keep someone else alive.”

Watch the video and read the full story on PBS.