State officials are calling on more Black, Hispanic, and Asian people to step up and become organ donors. Secretary of State Jesse White explains why the need is so high.

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White says 56-percent of the people who are waiting for organs come from minority ethnic groups.

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White says people can receive an organ from anyone but their recovery process goes smoother if it comes from someone with the same ethnic background. Five-and-a-half million people in Illinois have signed up as organ donors but there are still about five-thousand people on the waiting list. White says one person can provide life or improve the quality of life for up to 25-people if they donate their organs. People can sign up at LifeGoesOn.com.