Ill. ads urge African-Americans to be organ donors

CHICAGO — Secretary of State Jesse White is launching an ad campaign aimed at urging more African-Americans to be organ and tissue donors.

White has released the radio ads to run from Monday through Aug. 1, which is National Minority Donor Awareness Day.

The radio spots feature 14-year-old heart recipient Mikahla Thornton of Bloomington.

White's office says the percentage of African-Americans signed up as organ donors in Illinois is half that of the general population.

Studies have shown people of the same ethnic group are better matches for organ donation.