The New York Organ Donor Network is marking Black History month by urging all Brooklyn African Americans to donate organs.

According to the network, 17 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant and five of those victims are black. The network has been trying to get rid of many myths about organ donors. It says one myth is doctors do not try to save a donor?s life. However, network officials say this is simply not true.

To keep the memory of organ donors alive, the network recently sewed together quilts. All Brooklyn residents are urged to register on the state organ and tissue donor registry.