Senate gives final OK to effort to boost organ and tissue donations: Bill now goes to Gov. Cuomo to be signed into law

Albany, N.Y., February 27—The State Senate has given final legislative approval to legislation co-sponsored by Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) to try to increase organ and tissue donations in New York State by giving New Yorkers the opportunity to register as organ and tissue donors when they apply for or renew a hunting, fishing or trapping license.

“It’s one of the most important life-saving actions that any of us can take.  One donor can save up to eight lives and positively impact the lives of seventy-five others through eye and tissue donations,” said O’Mara, who has long supported legislative efforts to bolster organ and tissue donations.  “We’re hopeful that this latest effort to make it easy for New York’s sportsmen and sportswomen to register as organ donors can make a real difference in bringing attention to and encouraging donations.”

The state Assembly unanimously approved the legislation (S7318/A7915), where co-sponsors include area Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning), two weeks ago. 

The measure now goes to Governor Andrew Cuomo for final action.

More than 400 New Yorkers die annually waiting for an organ transplant.  Nearly 10,000 people are on the waiting list for transplants and more than 1,500 of them have been on the list for more than five years.  However, according to the New York State Organ Donor Network, New York currently has the second-lowest donor registry enrollment rate in the nation.  In total, only 11% of eligible donors are currently enrolled in the New York State Organ and Tissue Registry.