Right now, nearly a thousand people in South Carolina are awaiting an organ transplant and many will die before they get it.
This week is National Minority Donor Awareness Week, when advocates strive to get more minorities to register as organ donors.
Though donor advocates say kidney failure is four times more likely to affect African Americans than Caucasians, many in minority communities are reluctant to register.
Tim Meagher of Myrtle Beach is a liver transplant recipient. As he waits at the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles office to renew his driver's license, he urges others to check the box on their license application indicating their intent to be a donor.
"I'm good and alive and healthy, because someone was thoughtful enough to check it off or their family donated," Meagher said.
Millions of Americans have made the decision to become organ donors.
"It's a very important thing and I think people need to take it seriously and seriously consider doing it," said Andy Christenson of Myrtle Beach.
But others are reluctant.
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