“County Urges Residents to Join Donor Registry”
ELMIRA – Chemung County Executive Tom Santulli and the Chemung County Legislature have joined the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) and counties across the state in urging Chemung County residents to join the NYS Donor Registry. The Legislature unanimously passed the resolution at their February 10th meeting. The County and NYSAC hope to raise awareness and increase organ donor registration rates in Chemung County and across the State.
Nearly 10,000 New Yorkers are currently waiting for an organ transplant and every 13 hours someone dies waiting for an organ transplant in our state. Unfortunately, although 85% of New Yorkers think organ donation is good, only 18% of eligible New Yorkers are registered to become organ donors. The nationwide average for enrollment is 42%. In an effort to increase donor registration, in addition to the resolution, Chemung County recognizes April as Donate Life Month.
“Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives and improve the lives of up to 50 people by donating tissues and corneas,” said Donna Draxler, Chemung County Legislature Chair. “Becoming a registered organ donor in New York is easy and can be done online through the New York Organ Donor Network website, the NYS DMV website, or at any local DMV office. We encourage all Chemung County residents to give the gift of life and register,” added Draxler.
Legislator Rodney J. Strange voted in favor of this resolution and joins Chair Donna Draxler in encouraging residents to register to be an organ donor.
To learn more about organ donation go to hatethewait.org.