Over 100,000 people are waiting for a call that determines the fate of their life, and that waiting list only continues to grow.[1] The men, women and children on the organ transplant list rely on us. By registering to be an organ donor, we have the power to help more people receive this life-changing call and live a longer life. In order to spread awareness about the need for more organ, eye and tissue donors, the month of April is recognized as National Donate Life Month. This year’s theme is, “Life is a beautiful ride,” because all who register as an organ donor and support this cause are helping to make life a beautiful ride for others.[2]

New York witnessed a record-breaking spike in donor registration this past year, with over 600,000 new donors being added to the state’s Donate Life Registry,[3] but the demand for organ, eye and tissue donations still greatly surpasses the number of registered donors. New York State has the third-highest need for donors in the country, yet has the second-lowest percentage of registered donors.[4] As a result, a New Yorker dies every 18 hours waiting for an organ transplant. Currently, 10,000 people in New York State are still waiting for an organ. Although there have been many advances in medical technology in recent years, another person is still being added to the national waiting list every 10 minutes.[5]

Believe it or not, 95 percent of Americans are in favor of being a donor, but only 58 percent are registered.[6] We all can do our part to bridge this gap and ensure those on the transplant list receive the care they desperately need. A single donor has the power to save up to eight lives with their organs, restore sight to two people with their corneas and heal the lives of 75 people with their tissue.[7] In 2018, the selfless acts of organ donors allowed more than 36,500 transplants to bring renewed life to patients and their families.[8]

We need to continue spreading awareness about the importance of organ donation. Anyone 16 years of age or older can register as an organ donor, and the process is free and easy. The option to be a living donor is also available for people over the age of 18 in good overall physical and mental health.[9] This option allows willing donors to give their kidney or part of their liver to a compatible family member or friend.

The passing of Lauren’s Law in 2012 has made registering to become an organ donor easier than ever for New Yorkers. The law, which is named after a girl who received a heart transplant at the age of 12, allows people to register as a donor when applying for or renewing a New York State driver’s license or non-driver identification card. In 2016, the state Legislature passed another law allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to become organ donors while giving their parent or legal guardian final say if the child unfortunately passed away before the age of 18 (Ch. 248 of 2016).

To help save more lives and become a registered organ donor, you can apply in person at your local Department of Motor Vehicles, sign up online at the Live On NY Web site or download the form at health.ny.gov/donatelife and mail it in. You can also sign up by visiting organdonor.gov or apply when you register to vote at the Board of Elections.

If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other community issue, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at Thielef@nyassembly.gov or by calling 631-537-2583.

[1] donatelife.net/statistics

[2] donatelife.net/ndlm

[3] prnewswire.com/news-releases/record-breaking-year-for-new-york-state-donate-life-registry-enrollment-300775373.html

[4] prnewswire.com/news-releases/record-breaking-year-for-new-york-state-donate-life-registry-enrollment-300775373.html

[5] liveonny.org/be-an-organ-donor

[6] donatelife.net/statistics

[7] Ibid.

[8] donatelife.net/ndlm

[9] donatelife.net/ndlm