(MADISON) -- About 85,000 people are currently waiting for an organ transplant. Here in Wisconsin, that number is more than 1,400.

But there are only about 6,000 yearly donors in the U.S. Because of that, more than 6,000 people die waiting for their transplant every year.

But one Madison man set out to beat the statistics, and now he and the health care industry are calling to the public for help.

"I was a fortunate one," says Anthony Brown. He received his kidney transplant about six years ago. He almost died waiting for a match, but his brother decided to donate. He told Brown he didn't want his kids to grow up without a father.

"It was overwhelming; it was one of the most gratifying things that anyone could ask for that someone would do something that is so sacred and so special," recalls Brown.

But according to doctors, many people still aren't donating. It's causing a long wait, especially for African Americans, who show higher numbers of kidney disease.

"There has been decreased emphasis on matching which we think is important because the genetic disparities between whites and African Americans exist and they will receive proportionately less transplants," says UW Professor of Surgery, Dr. Tony D'Alessandro.

African Americans make up 35% of the donor waiting list but only 13% donate. Doctors say to fight this growing problem, people need to realize that donating saves lives.

"Every day 17 people die waiting for an organ transplant and we advocate for our patients as much as possible but there is just not enough organs to go around for everyone on the list," says D'Alessandro.

He says education is the key to bringing the donor numbers up.

"There is a great amount of comfort and solace that families find in knowing that even though situation was tragic they were able to help other people live new lives and renewed lives."

Renewed lives like Anthony Brown's.

"At the end of the day you just have to be grateful for what you have and you approach each day like it's your last day," says Brown.

Although the numbers are still low, last year there was a 10% increase in the number of African Americans who received transplants.