NEW YORK -- Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill today to encourage New Yorkers to register for organ and tissue donation.
Only 18 percent of adults are enrolled as donors in New York, which puts us well below the national average of 43 percent.
The Legislation, known as “Lauren’s Law,” makes a change on the DMV application documents designed to encourage people to enroll with the Donate Life Registry. The new wording on the forms say: "You must fill out the following section: Would you like to be added to the Donate Life Registry? Check box for 'yes' or 'skip this question.'"
"With thousands of New Yorkers on the waiting list for organ and tissue donations, New York State must work harder to enroll our residents in this important life-saving program," Governor Cuomo said. "By adding this new language to DMV application forms, it is our hope that many more New Yorkers sign up to be on the list of those willing to donate an organ or tissue”
Of the approximately 113,000 people on the registry, 9,700 are from New York. Nationally, 18 people every day die waiting for an organ.
Recent attempts to boost organ donation from companies like Facebook have helped to boost awareness of the need for organ donors.
The bill’s namesake, 12 year-old Rockland County native Lauren Shields, received a heart transplant in 2009.
Lauren said this of the new bill "I want to thank Governor Cuomo for signing Lauren's Law. It will save thousands of lives in New York. I vow to continue to share my story in hopes of inspiring people so they choose 'yes' to saving lives."
Senator David Carlucci said, “…New York ranks near the bottom of eligible people enrolled in the organ donor program. By making a simple change to the law we have a greater opportunity to increase the number of organ donors and save lives.”
Ted Lawson, Executive Director of Save Lives Now New York, said, "This is a great first step in changing New York State organ donation policy so that more organs will be made available for life-saving transplants. Hopefully, the passage of Lauren's Law will be a significant first step in that direction."
The law will take effect next year.
