Assemblyman Thiele: Help Save Lives, Become an Organ Donor
April is National Donate Life Month
In an effort to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation, the month of April is recognized as National Donate Life Month. It’s easy to take our organs and the power they have for granted, but every 10 minutes, the list of people across the country awaiting organ transplants grows.1 While some will receive the lifesaving procedures they need, many others won’t be as fortunate.
The need for organ donors continues to be an issue in New York, as the state ranks last in percentage of donors, yet has the third-most people awaiting a transplant procedure, accounting for nearly 10,000 of the 120,000 people in the United States.2 As a result, a New Yorker dies every 18 hours waiting for an organ transplant that never comes.3 As New Yorkers, we take pride in protecting our own, yet only 30 percent of state residents are registered organ donors, ranking far below the 54 percent national average.4
We can do more to ensure New Yorkers on the transplant list receive the lifesaving organ, tissue and eye transplants they desperately need, and it starts with spreading the word on the importance of being a donor. A single donor has the ability 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.5 Registering as an organ donor is free and easy, and anyone 16 years of age or older is eligible. It’s important to know that organs are donated to patients based on the severity of their illness along with time spent on the waiting list; it’s not based on wealth or social status.6 The option to be a living donor also exists, such as donating a kidney to a family member or a compatible friend.
In addition, legislation passed in 2012 makes it easier for New Yorkers to become organ donors. Lauren’s Law allows people to register as a donor when applying for or renewing a New York State driver’s license or non-driver identification card. It was named after Lauren Shields, who required a heart transplant at the age of 12 after being diagnosed with viral myopathy, an enlarged heart and cardiomyopathy.7 Further legislation was adopted in 2016, allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to become organ donors while giving their parent or legal guardian the final say if the child unfortunately passed away before the age of 18 (Ch. 248 of 2016).
To become a registered organ donor in New York State, you can apply in person at your local Department of Motor Vehicles, sign up online at LiveOnNY.org or download the form at health.ny.gov/donatelife and mail it in. You can also sign up when you register to vote at the Board of Elections or by visiting organdonor.gov.
Whether it’s becoming an organ donor or spreading awareness of the importance of organ donation, you can make a difference that lasts a lifetime.
For more information or questions about this or any community issue, please feel free to contact me by calling 631-537-2583 or via email at thielef@nyassembly.gov.
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3. liveonny.org/about-donation/quick-facts-about-donation