Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) is announcing the 2^nd annual Student Art Contest hosted by Donate Life New York State. In celebration of Donate Life Month, students are encouraged to share their donation stories and perspectives on organ donations through art. Submissions must be in by Feb. 28 and winners will be notified by March 21. Entries must be submitted by a teacher or parent and must include the participating student’s name, grade level, age, address, phone number and email. There are four separate categories for the contest, elementary, fourth and fifth grades; middle school, sixth through eighth grades; and high school, ninth and tenth grades and eleventh and twelfth grades.

Artwork will be hung throughout the Legislative Office Building during Donate Life Month in April. Winners will receive a $100 gift card and will be recognized at a press conference to be held on April 8 in Albany. For more information on this opportunity, please see the link here.

“I am pleased to announce the Donate Life Student Art Contest. Organ donation is a cause near and dear to my heart, so I am always happy to help promote this important issue however I can. According to Donate Life New York, our state ranks 47^th out of 52 registries of states and territories in the country in total organ donor enrollment. We have a 50% enrollment rate while the national average is 64%. As a state, we have the third-greatest need for organs but the sixth-worst enrollment rate. We can, and must, do better. I hope this art contest will help spread the word about the importance of organ donation. If you have already registered to become an organ donor, thank you. If you have not, please talk to your family and consider it as you can help save the lives of your fellow New Yorkers. In fact, one person who donates at their time of death can save up to eight lives and impact the lives of 75 others. To register to donate, visit your local DMV or visit the NYS Donate Life Registry website today,” said Palmesano.