LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION recognizing April 2016, as National Donate Life
Month

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to help increase
awareness of serious health issues that affect the lives of citizens of
New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to recognize
April 2016, as National Donate Life Month; and
WHEREAS, National Donate Life Month (NDLM) was established in 2003 by
Donate Life America and its partnering organizations; and
WHEREAS, Celebrated in April each year, NDLM features an entire month
of local, regional and national activities to help encourage Americans
to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to celebrate those who
have saved lives through the gift of donation; and
WHEREAS, LiveOnNY is a nonprofit, federally designated organ procure-
ment organization (OPO) dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue
for transplant in the greater New York metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1978, LiveOnNY is the second largest OPO in
the United States, serving a culturally and ethnically diverse popu-
lation of 13 million; and
WHEREAS, The objective of this vital organization is to increase the
number of organ, eye and tissue donors by procuring as many New Yorkers
as possible to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore its mission is to save lives, provide comfort and
strengthen legacies through organ, eye and tissue donation, and its
vision is a world in which the power of organ, eye and tissue donation
is fully realized; and
WHEREAS, By working together with the citizens of not only the five
boroughs but the entire State of New York, the efforts of LiveOnNY is
helping to make a difference; for every New Yorker who enrolls in the
registry, up to eight lives can be saved, and another 50 lives can be
saved or improved through tissue donation; and
WHEREAS, New York State ranks 50th out of 50 in the nation in percent
of residents who are registered organ donors; and
WHEREAS, Only 26% of New Yorkers are registered organ donors, however,
83% of this population support organ donation; and
WHEREAS, Under the skilled leadership of President/CEO Helen Irving
and Medical Director Amy L. Friedman, MD, LiveOnNY has so effectively
carried out its mission by demonstrating the sanctity of life; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize April 2016, as National Donate Life Month; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Donate Life America and its partnering organizations.