Senator Carlucci's Bill to Increase Organ Donation Funding is Signed Into Law

(New City, NY) Senator Carlucci stood with transplant survivors, advocates, and fellow lawmakers outside the Rockland County Courthouse on Tuesday to announce Governor Cuomo signed his and Assemblywoman Michele Titus’ (D-Queens) bill (S.1033/A.5159B) into law, which will allow New York taxpayers a more convenient way to give to organ donation.

Now the New York personal income tax form will allow a resident to make a voluntary contribution to the Life Pass It On Trust Fund, which raises money for organ and transplant research and educational programs promoting organ and tissue donation.

New York currently has one of the lowest rates of organ donor registration in the country. Senator Carlucci who has been at the forefront of increasing registered organ donors in New York since passing Lauren’s Law in 2012 said, “There are 15 different charitable funds a person in New York can give to on their personal income tax form, including a wildlife and Olympic fund. It makes sense to also list an organ donation fund, which could help save lives. Right now, we have nearly 9,500 people on the organ transplant list in our state, and each year more than 500 people are dying waiting. We need to do everything we can to increase awareness and register people.”

Senator Carlucci presented Donate Life New York State and LiveOnNY with the pen certificates that Governor Cuomo signed.

“The NYS Donate Life Pass It On Trust Fund was created to provide support for education, outreach and research regarding the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation, and increased donations to the fund can help carry out comprehensive campaigns that encourage New Yorkers to register in the NYS Donate Life Registry. This is critical to ensuring that the majority of New Yorkers who support organ donation, but who are not in the Registry, are able to express their wish to make the gift of life and improve New York’s donation rate.  Thanks to leaders like Senator Carlucci and Assemblyman Titus, we are taking important steps like these to improve New York’s record,” said Donate Life New York State Executive Director, Aisha Tator.   

“Organ donation is powerful and beautiful. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and enrich the lives of many more through tissue donation. I urge all New Yorkers to consider registering as organ donors at LiveOnNY.org. I thank Sen. Carlucci for helping to raise awareness about this important issue,” said LiveOnNY’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Amy Friedman.

Other donation advocates and lawmakers who were not at the event applauded the new law.

"I am so happy that New Yorkers will now have an additional way to support organ donation via the NYS Donate Life Pass It On Trust Fund. Education on the subject of organ donation is so important to help increase the number of enrolled donors. As a heart recipient, I am so grateful that NYS Legislators continue to support this important cause," said Lauren Shields.

“Thank you Governor Cuomo for signing this legislation, I co-sponsored into law. I know firsthand what it means to have a family member among the nearly 9,500 New Yorkers who are waiting for a life-saving transplant. We cannot ask them to keep waiting. We must do everything we can to increase organ donation rates through advocacy, education, raising awareness, and legislation that encourages New Yorkers to take action and make a difference," said Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee.

In 2018, charitable funds that people could give to on their income tax form generated nearly $2.2 million dollars. A donation to these funds is tax deductible.