A member of the Assembly Committee on Health, Assemblyman David G. McDonough (R, C, I – Merrick) is constantly working to encourage healthier lifestyles, better healthcare (and make services more affordable), and to spread awareness about important, life-saving issues such as organ donation. As April is Organ Donation Awareness Month, the Assemblyman is participating in the New York Organ Donor Network’s campaign to increase donor registration and encourages Long Island residents to sign up.

“This seemingly small decision can save the lives of many, many people. Donating your organs and tissue, in addition to blood, is truly giving the gift of life. I strongly encourage residents to sign up for this important program now,” stated the Assemblyman who is already registered as an organ donor himself.

Unfortunately, an average of seventeen people die every day waiting for an organ transplant. This is because, despite the list of individuals in need of transplants reaching nearly 100,000 people, the number of donors registering is dismal. In fact, in 2007, just over 8,000 people donated at the time of their deaths – meanwhile, in New York State alone, there are 8,800 residents waiting for donations. By donating at the time of their death, a single person may help as many as 50 people.

In addition to donating blood and organs, the Assemblyman also encourages Long Island residents to sign up for eye and tissue donation. When someone loses an eye in an accident or is severely burned, eye and tissue donations are lifesaving. Last year 3,000 eye and tissue donations helped save the lives of thousands of New Yorkers.

New Yorkers can learn more about donating at the Donate Life NY Web site. They can also sign up to become a donor. Additionally, New Yorkers can show their support for organ and tissue donation by purchasing a Life-Pass It On custom license plate from the Department of Motor Vehicles, or by contributing $1 to organ transplant research and education by checking off the box on their driver’s license, or non-driver identification, application or renewal form.