Register to be an organ donor

By Peter Kates

More than 8,500 New York state residents are waiting for an organ transplant that can save their life, according to a review of state data by Univera Healthcare. Unfortunately, time will run out for around 500 of them, as that is the average number of New Yorkers who die each year before a compatible organ becomes available.

“These aren’t just statistics, but rather our loved ones, coworkers, and neighbors,” says Lorna Fitzpatrick, MD, Vice President Medical Affairs and Senior Medical Director at Univera Healthcare. “We can increase their odds for a successful donor match by increasing the number of people who register to be donors.”

In New York state, the need for donors is among the highest of any state in the union, but just 45 percent of state residents who are eligible have enrolled in the Donate Life Registry.
All New York state residents age 16 and older can enroll to donate their organs, eyes, and/or tissues after their death. One organ donor can save eight lives and heal 75 more through eye and tissue donation.

  • Donatable organs include the heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, and intestines.
  • Donatable tissues include the eyes/corneas, skin, heart valves, bone, blood vessels, nerve, cartilage, and connective tissues.

Following registration, donors receive a letter or email providing them with information on how to change or limit their donation. Registration is a legal document ensuring the person’s wish to be a donor is carried out. Family members will be told of the decision and given information about the process, but their permission is not needed for the donation to proceed.

“It has never been easier to enroll in the organ donor registry, which is why we’ve seen participation increase over the past few years to 45 percent,” says Mark Simon, President and CEO of ConnectLife, Western New York’s only organ, eye, tissue, and community blood center. “Still, we only have a commitment from less than half of those who are eligible to donate. Many more lives can be saved if we can get more people involved.”

New York state has simplified the process to register as an organ and tissue donor, including allowing registration through the Department of Motor Vehicles when you apply for a driver’s license or permit at www.DMV.NY.gov, through the Board of Elections when you register to vote, and through the New York State of Health marketplace when you sign up for, or renew, a health insurance plan at www.NYStateofHealth.NY.gov. You can also complete a paper or online registration form, or check to see if you’ve already registered to be an organ donor, at www.DonateLife.NY.gov. Find more information on organ donation and the donor registry at www.ConnectLife.org.

Peter Kates is Vice President of Communications at Univera Healthcare.