Over five million New Yorkers have enrolled in the New York State Donate Life Registry as organ donors. Through several coordinated efforts, New York has increased organ donation rates to historic levels. In honor of National Donate Life Month and New York's Donate Life Blue and Green Day, several landmarks across the state will be lit blue and green tonight, including One World Trade Center, the SUNY Administration Building in Albany, the State Fairgrounds Entrance in Syracuse, the Peace Bridge and Niagara Falls.
"New York has made great strides to break down barriers and encourage more New Yorkers to become organ donors," Governor Cuomo said. "Donate Life Blue and Green Day serves as a reminder of the thousands of New Yorkers still waiting for an organ donation and the simple steps we can take to potentially save a life."
To increase enrollment in the New York State Donate Life Registry, the Department of Health worked with the Donate Life New York State to launch a more modernized and expanded registry. Enhancements include a more accessible and user-friendly website and the ability to access the registry from multiple state websites, to help streamline the registration process. The updated registry application better connects users and offers social media sharing options as well.
In addition, in October of 2017 Governor Cuomo announced several aggressive initiatives aimed at increasing donor enrollment. The measures included:
Executive Order to Increase Enrollment Opportunities
The Executive Order directed the Department of Health to work with the Transplant Council, Donate Life New York State, health care providers, and hospital systems licensed to provide organ transplant services in order to develop opportunities to increase the number of registered organ donors in the state. The order also directed state agencies to work with the Department of Health to provide opportunities for individuals to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry when applying for government benefits, services, and licenses.
To encourage New Yorkers to enroll in the registry, the state will expand opportunities to enroll and make it easier than ever to help save a life by becoming an organ donor. According to the federal Organ Procurement and Transplant Network, nearly 10,000 New Yorkers are currently on a list of the more than 118,000 people nationwide waiting for an organ transplant. On average, 22 people die each day in the United States from causes that could have been treated with a donated organ. In addition, tissue donated by one person can positively impact the lives of more than 50 other people.
NY State of Health Donate Life Initiative
In May 2016, Governor Cuomo signed legislation requiring NY State of Health, New York's official health plan marketplace, to add the organ donation component to its health insurance application. As of April 21, 2017, individuals completing an application, renewing a plan, or making a life status change are now asked if they would like to be added to the NYS Donate Life Registry. Since adding the enrollment option to its marketplace application, over 140,000 New Yorkers have become active enrollees in the New York State Donate Life Registry.
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Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
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