In honor of April being National Donate Life Month, Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is encouraging New Yorkers to consider registering as an organ and tissue donor. Last year, the Assembly passed a resolution to declare April as Donate Life Month in New York. Currently, there are over 100,000 people on the national organ and tissue donation registry waiting for a life-saving transplant. According to Live On NY New York was ranked 50th in the nation in 2018 when its percentage of residents registered as organ donors was compared to other states.
“It is an absolute travesty that New York is so far behind in organ donation,” said Byrne. “While the state Legislature has acted in recent years to improve this sad fact, we must still do more as individuals. I, myself, am a registered organ donor and highly encourage others to become so as well. Don’t be deterred by myths or false information. One organ donor can save up to eight lives. Right now, every 18 hours a person in New York dies waiting for a lifesaving transplant, but you can help change that. Please consider registering as an organ donor today.”
As of 2019, almost 10,000 people in New York alone were waiting for transplants. Out of the 19 million people living in New York, only about 5 million are registered with the New York State Donate Life Registry. This equates to 32 percent of residents in New York, compared to the 56 percent of those registered across the United States.
One organ donor can save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can enhance the lives of up to 50 people. For more information on organ or tissue donation, or to register as a donor, please visit: http://health.ny.gov/donatelife.
Assemblyman Kevin Byrne is the ranking member of the Assembly Health Committee and represents the 94th Assembly District, including portions of Westchester and Putnam Counties.