To assist the thousands of New Yorkers in dire need of an organ for transplantation, Senator Kemp Hannon, Assemblyman James Conte and State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Raymond P. Martinez gathered at the Farmingdale Public Library last month to announce a $250,000 appropriation to increase organ and tissue donation and also commemorate the recent signing of the Gift of Life Donor Medal bill into law.

"There is a severe shortage of organs and tissues for transplantation; while the number of people awaiting lifesaving surgery has increased by 46 percent from about 5,400 in 1997 to approximately 8,000 today," said Hannon, who is the chairman of the Senate Health Committee. "Increasing the number of organ donors in this state and throughout the country is a challenge but New York is working to reverse this negative trend with promising legislative initiatives."

State Health Commissioner Dr. Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H. commended Hannon and said, "For those stricken with a serious illness who are waiting to receive a donated organ, the wait can seem endless. Two years ago, Governor Pataki wanted to do something to increase the number of potential organ and tissue donors in New York State, so he helped create a statewide Organ and Tissue Donor Registry, operated jointly by the Health Department and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Today, more than 425,000 people are listed on this registry and we expect more than ever before to raise awareness of the desperate need for organ and tissue donation and how New Yorkers, in their passing, can give life to so many others."

Through this year's budget, a $250,000 legislative grant was secured to support initiatives by the Task Force to Increase Organ and Tissue Donation. The state funding will be applied toward a broad public awareness campaign to encourage enrollment in the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. Established in 2000, the registry ensures that an individual's wishes to become a donor upon his or her death will be honored by family members and health care providers.

NYS Task Force to Increase Organ and Tissue Donation Project Director Carla Williams specified that some of the funding will be used by the New York Alliance for Donation (NYAD), a non-profit organization to implement organ and tissue donation awareness and professional education projects developed by the Task Force. "It is very important and very valuable to have this appropriation," said Williams. "We are building around the opportunities the policy makers have set up for us to carry out our mission of increasing organ and tissue donations."

The organ donor awareness program at the Farmingdale Library also commemorates the Gift of Life Donor Medal bill, spearheaded by Assemblyman Conte. Recently signed into law by Governor Pataki, the legislation establishes a program for public recognition of organ, tissue and bone marrow donors and their families through the award of a New York State gift of life medal of honor. NYAD will work to implement this program and organize statewide events recognizing the donors and their families.

"As a two-time kidney recipient, I understand that organ donation is truly a gift of life," Conte said. "This medal is a small way that New York State can say thank you."

"The generous gifts that families have made while thinking of others at a time of loss is tremendous legacy that has helped to improve so many other people's' lives," said Patricia Dahl, NYAD vice-chair and CEO of the Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration. "Organ, eye and tissue donors have enabled recipient to return as active, productive members of their community, with a second chance to see all that life has to offer."

New Yorkers can enroll in the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry through the Department of Motor Vehicles, by checking the donor box on their driver license or non-driver identification card.

"More than 425,000 New Yorkers have joined this worthwhile program through DMV's driver license and non-driver identification application and renewal process," said Commissioner Martinez. "Earlier this year we set a goal to enroll 500,000 New Yorkers in the registry by the end of the year and we are confident that tens of thousands of individuals will help us reach that level in the remaining weeks before the end of 2002. We cannot emphasize enough the importance that a gift of an organ or tissue can provide to a recipient and their families."

Enrollment in the Organ and Tissue Registry declares a person's intent to donate organs and tissues after death but in New York State, family consent is a requirement for organ recovery. Cleveland Ladson of Bayshore agreed to honor the wish of his son Chakarra Ladson to be an organ donor when 22-year-old Chakarra suffered injuries in a car accident and passed away suddenly in 1993.

"Life is very precious. You never know when the end will come," said Ladson. "There should be an understanding with family members about organ donation. Seeing all of these people (organ recipients) living healthy lives has opened my eyes completely to the help this work is doing. Think about it beforehand."

Those interested can enroll in the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry through the State Health Department's website, www.health.state.ny.us.