On Organ Donation, New York City Can Make the Difference

"This past year underscored the importance of continually strengthening the organ donation and transplant system. In New York, our state and community leaders advanced meaningful reforms to save and heal lives, maintain public trust in the system, and honor donors and their families. As a result, more than 3,200 New Yorkers received life-changing organ transplants this year, and more than 400,000 New Yorkers newly registered their consent to give the gift of life."

"Thanks to these concerted efforts spearheaded by Donate Life NYS, New York crossed an important milestone: for the first time, a majority of age-eligible New Yorkers were registered donors. That progress reflects critical work from the governor and legislature, the Department of Health, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and community partners across the state. But 50 percent registrations statewide-still far behind the national average-is not a finish line. It's a starting point for what comes next."

This past year reinforced the need to continually strengthen organ donation and transplant systems. State and community leaders implemented reforms to save lives, maintain public trust, and honor donors and families. More than 3,200 New Yorkers received organ transplants and over 400,000 newly registered donor consent. Donate Life NYS led efforts that resulted in a majority of age-eligible New Yorkers becoming registered donors, supported by the governor, legislature, Department of Health, Department of Motor Vehicles, and community partners. Despite reaching 50 percent statewide, more than 8,000 New Yorkers remain on the waiting list and roughly 400 die annually due to donor shortages. New York City reports registration rates in the 30s, with the Bronx and Queens at 32 percent and Kings County at 38 percent, disproportionately affecting Black and Brown communities; closing these gaps would translate into lives saved.

Read at City Limits