New York is in desperate need of organ donors. More than 10,000 people are waiting for organ transplants here, and that number is quickly rising. According to LiveOnNY, a new person is added to the New York State organ transplant list every two and a half hours. Here’s another fact: Not only can one registered donor save up to eight lives, that same donor can help improve the lives of 50 others.¹

With one person dying every 15 hours while waiting for a transplant, it’s crucial we work to get more people registered.² Each April, we recognize National Donate Life Month to raise awareness and promote the importance of organ donation. Only 22 percent of New Yorkers age 18 and over have enrolled in the New York State Donate Life Registry as organ, tissue and eye donors. That’s less than half of the national average.

Three years ago, New York passed Lauren’s Law, which makes becoming an organ donor easy and fast by allowing those applying for a New York State driver’s license to register for the organ donor registry (Ch. 465 of 2012). The law is named for Lauren Shields, a 12-year-old who was the recipient of a lifesaving heart transplant. Not only is she an inspiration, but she has paid it forward by becoming a strong advocate for joining the organ donor registry.

I encourage you and your loved ones to consider becoming organ donors this month. Remember: One life can help improve the lives of 50 others. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make a life-changing difference.

Should you choose to join the registry, there are a number of ways you can do so. You can sign up online at LiveOnNY.org or dmv.ny.gov, or you can do it in person at any Department of Motor Vehicles office. Additionally, you can visit health.ny.gov/donatelife, print and fill out a form, and drop it in the mail. You may also become an organ donor when you register to vote at the Board of Elections, or you can sign up at organdonor.gov.

By becoming an organ donor, you can help give others a second chance at life.

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1. donatelifeny.org/about-donation/data

2. ibid