Governor urges people to sign up as organ donors
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
On New York State Organ Donor Enrollment Day, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today urged New York State residents to register as organ donors through the New York State Donate Life Registry.
As the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted all areas of the healthcare system, including organ donation, the NYS Donate Life Registry is a safe and easy way for New Yorkers to register to become an organ donor and give someone a second chance at life.
“As we continue to fight against Covid-19, we once again have an opportunity to demonstrate New York’s tremendous love and generosity by encouraging New Yorkers to become organ donors, saving more lives in the process,” Governor Cuomo said. “Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused declines in organ donations, and with so many awaiting lifesaving organ transplants, I encourage New Yorkers to become organ donors and join the NYS Donate Life Registry.”
While most people who have Covid-19 fully recover, older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions are most at risk of suffering damage to their lungs and other organs as well, which has increased the need for organ donors.
More than 9,000 New Yorkers are among the 108,675 Americans currently awaiting an organ transplant, according to the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. More than 400 New Yorkers die each year because the organ they need is not donated in time, according to Donate Life NYS. Nationally, 22 people each day die while awaiting a match for a transplant, according to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.
Every nine minutes, someone is added to the wait list, but one donor can save as many as eight lives and heal 75 lives through tissue and corneal donation. Any New Yorker age 16 and older is eligible to enroll in the Registry. Approximately 41 percent of eligible New York State residents have enrolled to be organ donors through the Registry.
Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “There is no greater gift than the gift of life. We are proud offer our customers a chance to register to become organ donors and we hope all New Yorkers will take the opportunity to do so.”
You can enroll in the NYS Donate Life Registry online through the following online options:
• The NYS Donate Life Registry website
• The NYS Department of Motor Vehicles website
