LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 2014 as Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, Each year, National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month in
observed during the month of April, and New Yorkers join to recognize
the altruism and humanitarianism of those who are inspired to "give the
gift of life" to a fellow human being; and
WHEREAS, This observance pays tribute to organ donors and their fami-
lies whose meaningful decision enables others to receive life-saving
organs or tissue, whereby a transplant not only improves the quality of
life for the recipient, but in many cases can save a life; and
WHEREAS, There are over 121,000 Americans, men, women and children of
all ages, who are currently on the waiting list for an organ or tissue
transplant, and approximately 10,000 are New Yorkers; while there are
more than 19 million people residing in New York State, only 22 percent
are currently signed up to be organ, eye and tissue donors; in addition,
there are tens of thousands of people nationwide in need of bone,
corneal or other tissue transplant, with names added to the waiting list
each day; and
WHEREAS, New Yorkers can help prolong another life by enrolling in the
New York State Donate Life Registry - a confidential database of indi-
viduals who choose to donate their organs and tissues upon their death;
and
WHEREAS, Administered by the New York State Department of Health,
people can join the registry by enrolling online or when they apply for,
or renew, their New York State driver's license, or non-driver's license
identification card, or on voter registration forms; furthermore, an
individual should discuss his or her wishes of donation with family and
friends; and
WHEREAS, Members of organ and tissue donation advocacy organizations
promote donation and have been active in the areas of support, advocacy,
education and public awareness; striving to bring together all the
components of the transplant community, these organizations also work
closely with local transplant centers helping to promote and educate the
public about the need for organ and tissue donation; and
WHEREAS, The organs and tissues from a single donor can help as many
as 50 recipients, and during National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness
Month, New Yorkers are reminded of the life-sustaining results of organ
and tissue donation and encouraged to consider this immensely generous
and selfless act that extends another life; and
WHEREAS, Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month is also a time to
recognize and applaud the researchers, medical professionals, advocates
and volunteers, past and present, who have contributed so much to the
advancement of organ and tissue donation and transplantation and, most
particularly, to acknowledge and express our deepest gratitude for the
extraordinary generosity and altruistic gifts of deceased and living
donors and their families, so that others may have the opportunity to
rear a family, hold a job, and pursue a fuller and more active life; now
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2014 as Organ and
Tissue Donor Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitable engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York and the New York Alliance for Donation.