Men’s Health Month: Clarence Jones on Health, Community and Organ Donation
June is Men’s Health Month — a time to raise awareness about the importance of preventive care and healthy living for men. For longtime advocate and LifeSource partner, Clarence Jones, men’s health is deeply connected to his work in organ donation and his passion for community wellness.
Clarence’s connection to donation began in the late 1990s through his work with the Pan African American Foundation Health Committee. A funder who had received a heart transplant wanted to support health issues in the African American community, and that journey led Clarence to LifeSource. “I like to say I’ve been involved in donation for two centuries,” he jokes. “LifeSource was our first choice — and it’s still one of the best organizations we’ve worked with.”
What drew Clarence in — and kept him engaged for more than two decades — was the genuine partnership. “The people at LifeSource made space for our community. We didn’t always agree, but we always worked together with respect.”
Through his organization, The Hue-MAN Project, Clarence champions the motto “healthy men, healthy families, healthy communities.” He emphasizes that men’s health often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. “When LifeSource approached us about an organ donation campaign, it opened our eyes to how organ health fits into the broader picture of men’s well-being.”
That connection is especially important in communities of color, where rates of chronic illness—and the need for organ transplants—are disproportionately high. “We suffer at higher rates from kidney, heart and liver issues,” Clarence explains. “It’s our responsibility to educate, prevent where we can, and talk openly about the life-saving impact of donation.”
Looking to the future, Clarence sees a continued strong partnership between The Hue-MAN Project and LifeSource. “This relationship is a key part of how we tackle health disparities. As the needs in our communities grow, so does the opportunity to make a difference together.”
This Men’s Health Month, Clarence reminds us that true health goes beyond the individual—it’s about creating support systems that uplift entire communities and encourage life-giving decisions like organ donation.