State Agencies Encourage New Yorkers to Register for Organ Donation this Holiday Season

LongIsland.com

DMV and DOH are encouraging eligible New York residents to consider giving the gift of life by enrolling in the New York State Donate Life Registry this holiday season.

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New Yorkers have the opportunity to give the gift of a lifetime through the Statewide registry.

Photo by: NYS DOH.

Albany, NY - December 16, 2016 - The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) are encouraging eligible New York residents to consider giving the gift of life by enrolling in the New York State Donate Life Registry this holiday season. As a registered organ donor, New York residents have the option to provide organ, eye and tissue donations through the statewide registry. Tissue donated by one person can positively impact the lives of more than 50 other people and each organ donor can save as many as eight lives.



“As the holidays approach, one of the most selfless things that we as New Yorkers can do is give the gift of life to someone in need,” said DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan.  “At DMV, we directly interact with thousands of New Yorkers every day and the opportunities to make a difference are endless. The New York State Donate Life Registry is a critical resource that allows New Yorkers to have a positive impact on someone else’s life.”
 
"The holidays are a perfect time to remind New Yorkers to consider making an organ donation that could one day save someone’s life," said Health Commissioner Dr. Howard A. Zucker. "Being a registered organ donor can have a huge impact on many people who may be dealing with devastating injuries or illness. We are so grateful to the  4.3 million New Yorkers already enrolled to become donors and encourage others to consider doing the same."
 
According to data provided by OrganDonor.gov, approximately 119,000 people are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant, including 10,000 New Yorkers. On average, 22 people die every day in the United States from causes that could have been treated with a donated organ. Without donor registration, families are left to make the decision about donation in what is often the worst moment of their lives - the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one.
 
In 2012, DMV and DOH announced a new way to enroll in the State's Organ and Tissue Donor Registry online through MyDMV.  During the online sign-up process, prospective donors will be required to provide basic information found on their license or non-driver ID including date of birth, zip code, and last four digits of the Social Security number. Procedures and controls built into this process ensure authenticity, integrity, security and confidentiality.
 
The New York State Donate Life Registry is a confidential, computerized system that maintains a list of an individual's consent to donate his/her organs upon death. Under State law, the registry can only be accessed to determine an individual's donation status after death and only by a federally approved organ procurement organization or licensed eye and tissue bank. Enrolling to be an organ donor will not affect one's medical care and/or funeral arrangements, and there is no cost to the donor's family.
 
Become a Donor
To become a registered donor in New York State, residents must be 18 years of age.  In 2017, legislation will go into effect authorizing sixteen and seventeen year olds to become organ donors. Applicants can register when obtaining or renewing a driver license or non-driver identification (ID) card by signing the donor box that appears on DMV forms. Prospective donors can also register through DMV by completing an online registration form at my.dmv.gov.
 
In addition, New Yorkers can register through the New York State Health Department's website or on your voter registration form.
 
For more information on organ donation, visit DOH’s website.