In a heartfelt testament to the power of selflessness and compassion, Assemblyman Ari Brown (R-Cedarhurst) is spearheading a movement to promote organ, eye and tissue donation through the Donate Life initiative. Recognizing the profound impact of such donations in the context of life and living, Brown and his esteemed colleagues and champions of the cause gathered at The Well in the Legislative Office Building for a press conference on April 16.

Brown’s advocacy for organ donation transcends mere rhetoric; it's deeply personal. Acknowledging the diverse forms of donation, from posthumous to living donations, he highlighted the recent poignant example set by Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) and his wife Megan. The Smullens, in the midst of their grief over the tragic loss of their beloved son AJ, made the extraordinary decision to donate his organs, thereby granting the gift of life to others and ensuring AJ’s memory lives on in the bodies of those he saved.

Reflecting on his own contribution to this noble cause, Brown shared his experience of donating a kidney to a Purple Heart recipient and veteran on December 11, underscoring the relative ease and immense impact of such a gesture. His message is clear: organ donation is not only a selfless act but also a manageable and profoundly meaningful way to show compassion for humanity.

At the press conference, Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Assemblyman and life donor Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning), Smullen and former Senate Majority Leader John Flannagan joined Brown in championing the cause of Donate Life.

Brown’s commitment to organ donation serves as an inspiration to all New Yorkers. As he continues to advocate for this vital cause, he invites individuals across the state to join him in embracing the transformative power of selfless giving.

“Organ donation isn't just rhetoric; it’s deeply personal. From posthumous to living donations, each gift holds an impact. It is not a daunting process, I was in and out in just over a day with hardly any discomfort. Having a tooth pulled was worse. New York’s donor recipient waitlist has over 8,000 names on it, which is far too long. There is no reason as a state we should lag behind our neighbors in registered donors. It’s too easy not to,” Brown said.