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Assemblyman Palmesano: Organ Donation Is Important

April 30, 2015

ALBANY, NY – Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R, Corning) and Assistant Speaker Felix Ortiz (D-Kings) today sponsored a resolution celebrating Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month in conjunction with New York Donate Life.  “The numbers are startling. Each day, 21 people die in our country waiting in vain for a transplant that won’t come. More than 10,000 New Yorkers are waiting for a transplant today. You have the power to save a life, and I encourage you to sign up and take advantage of that as soon as you can,” said Palmesano.

Palmesano noted that the registry solidifies a decision to donate and is a simple way for medical professionals to inform family members of a donor’s choice in the event they are unaware.   Also, Palmesano is encouraging New Yorkers to take this opportunity to learn more about organ donation and add their names to the New York State Donate Life Registry.

 

“A New Yorker dies every fifteen hours waiting for a transplant,” said Palmesano. “This too is unacceptable.” “In 2013, 560 men, women and children died waiting for an organ right here in New York. That is simply unacceptable,” said Palmesano.

The issue is particularly important to Palmesano and his family. In 2006, Palmesano donated his sister one of his kidneys. “It was one of the greatest privileges of my life,” said Palmesano. “It showed me first hand how organ donation can make such an incredible impact on a family.”

New Yorkers interested in becoming donors can sign up for the Registry at the DMV, when registering to vote, or by visiting www.donatelifenewyork.com. For more information on organ, eye and tissue donation, call

1-866-NYDONOR (1-866-693-6667).

RLR_5469 - Version 2(1)Pictured from left to right:

Aisha Tator Tator, NY Alliance for Donation Executive Director, Victor Polce, Jeanna Shields, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, Organ Donation Advocate Lauren Shields and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano.

Lauren is a major ambassador for organ donation. She received a heart transplant at age 9. She is now fifteen years old. She is the namesake of Lauren’s Law.


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