LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim April 2010 as Donate Life Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Over the course of the last two decades, organ transplantation
has advanced from an experimental technique to a successful mode of
therapy; for many, transplants mean an improvement in the quality of
life; for others they mean the difference between life and death; and
WHEREAS, Each year the waiting list for organ transplants grows long-
er; many people die before an organ becomes available; the need for
organ donation is real and urgent; and
WHEREAS, Nationally, the current waiting list for organs has reached
more than 98,000; each day, about 77 people receive the organ transplant
that gives them a second chance; however, every 13 minutes another
person is added to the list and an average of 17 to 19 people die each
day waiting; and
WHEREAS, To focus attention on the importance of organ and tissue
donation and to express gratitude for those who have already given the
gift of life, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim April 2010 as Donate Life Month
in the State of New York, to be observed in conjunction with National
Donate Life Month; and
WHEREAS, National Donate Life Month was established in 2003; every day
in April, people across the United States make a special effort to cele-
brate the tremendous generosity of those who have saved lives by becom-
ing organ, tissue, marrow and blood donors and to encourage more Ameri-
cans to follow their fine example; and
WHEREAS, Citizens of the State of New York have, for many years, been
encouraged to sign an organ donor card on the back of their driver's
license or to enroll in the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Regis-
try, either online or at various locations or events held throughout the
State each year; and
WHEREAS, Donate Life Month provides the opportunity to help New York-
ers learn more about organ donation, to help the thousands of patients
awaiting transplantations, and to recognize the critical need for organ,
tissue, bone marrow and blood donation; and
WHEREAS, Many New Yorkers have set a powerful example, agreeing to
become organ donors and taking a selfless action which may potentially
save or enhance the lives of others, yet there continues to be a short-
age of vitally-needed organs and tissue and the disparity between the
number of registered donors and the number of people needing transplants
grows each year; a single person donating at the time of their death can
help as many as 50 people; and
WHEREAS, No one knows when they or a loved one may need a transplant
to survive, or tissue to repair injury or treat disease; with thousands
of New Yorkers still on waiting lists, the need for organ donations far
exceeds the supply; and
WHEREAS, The observance of Donate Life Month provides the opportunity
to educate people, to encourage them to consider organ donation, to add
their names to the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry as an
indication of their intent to donate, ensuring that more lives are
saved, and to inform their families and friends of their decision; and
WHEREAS, Donate Life Month is also a time to recognize and applaud the
researchers, medical professionals, 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 David A. Paterson to proclaim April 2010 as Donate
Life Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York, the New York Organ Donor Network, the Long Island Transplant
Recipients International Organization, and the New York Alliance for
Donation.