*Purpose: Native Americans (NAs) are 3.5 times more likely to suffer from end-stage renal disease than White Americans, yet are 34% less likely to receive a transplant than the general population. This is partly due to decreased rates of both deceased and living organ donation among NAs. Previous studies in ethnic minority groups have shown that willingness to donate (WTD) is affected by personal religious or spiritual beliefs and a lack of knowledge about organ donation. Specifically, within the NA community, it has been shown that spirituality and trust of the medical community affect WTD. However, no studies have reported on the relationship between personal contact with an organ donor or recipient and WTD.

*Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a sample of convenience, with respondents recruited in-person and online. The questionnaire, designed by members of the NA community using community-based participatory research principles, was based on questions from three previously validated instruments (the ODTK, the ODAS and the SBS), and was further developed through one-on-one focused interviews. Questions were created to be specific to types of personal contact with or knowledge of organ donors and recipients. We performed logistic regression analysis to associate personal experience with someone who has donated or received an organ with both WTD and with being a registered donor on one’s driving license.

*Results: We had 183 Native respondents who were 57% women with an average age of 43 years. While a majority (57%) had received education about organ donation in general, only 27% of respondents said they knew someone who donated an organ while they were still living, 24% knew someone who donated an organ after death, and 46% knew someone who had received an organ transplant. On logistic regression, we found that the domain of personal contact with an organ donor or recipient was associated with an increased WTD (OR 1.96, CI 1.24-3.09) and an increased “intention” to donate, defined as being a registered organ donor (OR 2.37, CI 1.16-4.83).

*Conclusions: Our findings suggest a strong correlation between personal contact with an organ donor or recipient and both WTD and intention to donate within the NA community. There is little personal interaction with those who have donated or received an organ in this community. This presents a great opportunity for outreach by organ donors and recipients to increase knowledge about organ transplantation, positively impact willingness to be a donor and to begin to increase rates of organ donation in the NA community.

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